Methods and use of growth hormone supergene family protein analogs for treatment of radiation exposure

ABSTRACT

Methods and compositions for the use of long-acting hematopoietic factor protein analogs for accelerating hematopoietic recovery in subjects who have been or will be exposed to radiation are disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e)from each of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/486,169, filed May 13,2011 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/527,320, filed Aug. 25,2011. U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 61/486,169 and 61/527,320 areeach incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

GOVERNMENT SUPPORT

This invention was made with government support under grant numbersA1084288, A1084301, and A1088928, each awarded by the NationalInstitutes of Health. The government has certain rights in theinvention.

REFERENCE TO A SEQUENCE LISTING

This application contains a Sequence Listing submitted electronically asa text file by EFS-Web. The text file, named“4152-20_Sequence_Listing_ST25” has a byte size of 9 KB, and wasrecorded on May 14, 2012. The information contained in the text file isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety pursuant to 37 CFR §1.52(e)(5).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to methods and compositions foruse of growth hormone supergene family protein analogs to treat subjectswho have been exposed to radiation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Exposure to high radiation doses causes a well characterized set ofradiation dose-dependent and time-dependent organ malfunctions (AcuteRadiation Syndrome or ARS), which can lead to severe morbidity anddeath. Different tissues differ in their sensitivities to radiationexposure, primarily due to differences in the number and turnover ofstem cells within each tissue. Bone marrow is one of the mostradiation-sensitive tissues, and one of the first signs of acuteradiation exposure is bone marrow aplasia. Patients exposed to acute,high dose radiation typically develop severe neutropenia, anemia,thrombocytopenia and lymphopenia within 2-3 weeks of exposure, and manypatients die from hematopoietic failure. Patients that survive the earlyhematopoietic complications of acute radiation exposure may developgastrointestinal and lung problems over the ensuing months and years.Patients may be exposed to high radiation doses in a hospital setting asa means of treating disease, e.g., cancer, as a result of detonation ofa nuclear device, or leakage of radioactivity from a facility containingradioactive substances, e.g., a nuclear power plant. Complications ofradiation exposure often limit the amount of radiation treatment cancerpatients receive, which reduces effectiveness of the radiation treatmentand reduces overall patient survival.

Hematopoietic growth factors have been shown to increase the survival ofmyelosuppressed animals, because they counteract the complications thatresult from neutropenia and thrombocytopenia, such as hemorrhages andinfections. However, most hematopoietic growth factors are unable toprotect animals from lethal doses of radiation (Van der Meeren, 2002).Many hematopoietic factors (proteins that stimulate growth,proliferation and differentiation of blood cells and bone marrow cells)are members of the growth hormone (GH) supergene family of proteins(Bazan (1990); Mott and Campbell (1995); Silvennoinen and Ihle (1996);Blumberg et al. (2001)), which include the following proteins: growthhormone, prolactin, placental lactogen, erythropoietin (EPO),thrombopoietin (TPO), interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6,IL-7, IL-9, IL-10, IL-11, IL-12 (p35 subunit), IL-13, IL-15, IL-19,IL-20, IL-21, MDA-7, IL-TIF, AK-155, oncostatin M, ciliary neurotrophicfactor, leukemia inhibitory factor, alpha interferon, beta interferon,gamma interferon, omega interferon, tau interferon, granulocyte-colonystimulating factor (G-CSF), granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulatingfactor (GM-CSF), macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) andcardiotrophin-1 (CT-1) (“the GH supergene family”). It is anticipatedthat additional members of this gene family will be identified in thefuture through gene cloning and sequencing. Members of the GH supergenefamily have similar secondary and tertiary structures, despite the factthat they generally have limited amino acid or DNA sequence identity.The shared structural features allow new members of the gene family tobe readily identified.

Recombinant granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is a 19 kDaprotein that stimulates proliferation and differentiation of bone marrowcells into granulocytes (neutrophils, eosinophils and basophils).Recombinant G-CSF has been used to ameliorate neutropenia followingmyelosuppressive chemotherapy (Glaspy, 2003) and has also been used toaccelerate hematopoietic recovery following bone marrow transplantationand to mobilize blood progenitor cells for transplantation (Glaspy,2003). Recombinant G-CSF has a short half-life in humans and typicallyis administered by daily injection for 15-21 days followingchemotherapy. The requirement for daily administration limits theattractiveness of G-CSF to chemotherapy patients and for the treatmentof patients that have been exposed to radiation, such as ARS patients.Although useful doses and dosing regimens of G-CSF for treatingchemotherapy-related neutropenia are known, it is not known however ifsuch treatments with G-CSF also provide therapeutic benefits e.g.,improved survival and hematopoietic recovery, to patients that have beenexposed to radiation, such as ARS patients.

Recombinant granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) isa 14 kDa cytokine that regulates proliferation, differentiation andfunctional activities of a variety of hematopoietic cells of thegranulocyte and macrophage lineages, including neutrophils, eosinophils,basophils, monocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells. Recombinanthuman GM-CSF is used in a variety of hematopoietic disorders, includingreducing the severity of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia, acceleratinghematopoietic recovery following bone marrow transplantation andmobilizing blood progenitor cells for transplantation. RecombinantGM-CSF has a short half-life in humans and typically is administered bydaily injection for 15-21 days following chemotherapy. The requirementfor daily administration also limits the attractiveness of GM-CSF tochemotherapy patients and for the treatment of patients that have beenexposed to radiation, such as ARS patients.

Recombinant interleukin-11 (IL-11) is a 19 kDa cytokine that stimulatesthe proliferation and differentiation of megakaryocytes into platelets(Yang, 1995; Goldman 1995). Recombinant IL-11 is used to amelioratethrombocytopenia following myelosuppressive chemotherapy in cancerpatients (Sitaraman and Gewirtz, 2001). IL-11 administration results inhigher platelet nadirs and accelerates platelet recovery in cancerpatients receiving chemotherapy. IL-11 has a short half-life in humansand requires daily administration for maximum effectiveness. IL-11typically is administered to cancer patients by daily injection for14-21 days following chemotherapy to ameliorate thrombocytopenia. Therequirement for daily administration limits the attractiveness of IL-11to chemotherapy patients and for the treatment of patients that havebeen exposed to radiation, such as ARS patients.

Growth Hormone (GH) is a 22 kDa protein that may prove useful fortreating ARS. Bone marrow stem cells and intestinal cells expressreceptors for GH and preclinical and clinical studies have shown that GHtreatment stimulates expansion and recovery of hematopoietic cellsfollowing chemotherapy (Zhang et al., 2008; Sirohi et al., 2007;Carlo-Stella et al., 2004), synergizes with G-CSF to mobilize CD34+hematopoietic cells in patients who respond poorly to G-CSF alone, andprotects intestinal cells from cell death following radiation exposure(Raguso et al., 2002; Howarth, 2003; Howarth et al., 1997; Mylonas etal., 2000; Ersoy et al., 2009).

Whether treatment with a hematopoietic factor protein, such as along-acting recombinant G-CSF, GM-CSF, GH, or IL-11 can provide atherapeutic benefit such as accelerated hematopoietic recovery orsurvival benefit to subjects that have been exposed to radiation, suchas ARS patients, is not known.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the invention relates to a method to acceleratehematopoietic recovery comprising administering to a subject who hasbeen exposed to radiation, an effective dose of a long-actinghematopoietic factor protein analog. In one aspect, the long-actinghematopoietic factor protein can be selected from a long-acting G-CSFanalog, a long-acting GM-CSF analog, a long-acting growth hormone (GH)analog, a long-acting IL-11 analog and combinations thereof.

Hematopoietic recovery can result in accelerated recovery of thesubject's blood cell type levels selected from platelet levels, redblood cell levels, neutrophil levels, lymphocyte levels, white bloodcell levels and combinations thereof. In one aspect, hematopoieticrecovery results in accelerated recovery of the subject's plateletlevels. In another aspect, hematopoietic recovery results in acceleratedrecovery of the subject's red blood cell levels. In still yet anotheraspect, hematopoietic recovery results in accelerated recovery of thesubject's platelet levels and red blood cell levels. In still anotheraspect, hematopoietic recovery results in accelerated recovery of thesubject's platelet levels, red blood cell levels and neutrophil levels.

In another aspect of the invention, the subject has been diagnosed ashaving Acute Radiation Syndrome (ARS).

In yet another aspect of the invention, the long acting hematopoieticfactor protein analog is modified with polyethylene glycol (PEG).

In still another aspect, the long acting hematopoietic factor proteinanalog is fused to a second protein to create a fusion protein. Thesecond protein can be selected from immunoglobulin domains, albumin,transferrin, transferrin receptors, elastin and elastin-like proteins.

In still further aspects, the hematopoietic factor protein analog is arecombinant human G-CSF protein analog comprising one or more cysteinesubstitutions or additions. In another aspect, the recombinant G-CSFprotein analog comprises a cysteine residue substituted for A141 ofhuman G-CSF (SEQ ID NO:1) and a non-cysteine amino acid residuesubstituted for C17 of human G-CSF (SEQ ID NO:1). In still anotheraspect, the G-CSF protein analog comprising A141 and C17 amino acidsubstitutions is further modified with PEG.

In still another aspect of the invention, the long acting hematopoieticfactor protein analog is a recombinant human GM-CSF protein analogcomprising one or more cysteine substitutions or additions. In anotheraspect, the recombinant GM-CSF protein analog comprises a cysteineresidue substituted for A3 of human GM-CSF (SEQ ID NO:2). In stillanother aspect, the human GM-CSF protein analog comprising an A3Csubstitution is further modified with PEG.

In another aspect, the subject can be administered an effective dose ofthe long acting hematopoietic factor protein analog in a single dosethat provides accelerated hematopoietic recovery. In one aspect, thesingle dose can be at least about 0.1 μg to 5 mg per kg of the subjectto which the long-acting hematopoietic factor analog is administered.Preferably, the single dose can be at least about 5 μg/kg to about 1mg/kg, and more preferably 50 μg/kg to about 300 μg/kg.

In still another aspect, the subject is administered one or more singledoses of the long-acting hematopoietic factor protein analog. In anotheraspect, the subject is administered a single dose of the long-actinghematopoietic factor protein analog one to nine times following thesubject's exposure to radiation. In yet another aspect, the subject isadministered a single dose of the long-acting hemaptopoietic factorprotein analog one to three times following the subject's exposure toradiation. In still another aspect, the subject is administered onesingle dose of the long-acting hematopoietic factor protein analog.

In another aspect, one or more single doses of the long actinghematopoietic factor protein analog is administered to the subjectwithin 24 hours following the subject's exposure to the radiation. Instill another aspect, the subject is administered one or more singledoses of the long acting hematopoietic factor protein analog using anevery other day dosing regimen. In yet another aspect, the subject isadministered one or more single doses of the long acting hematopoieticfactor protein analog beginning at least 24 hours following thesubject's exposure to the radiation followed by an every other dayregimen.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to a method for improvingsurvival of a subject who has been exposed to radiation, byadministering to the subject an effective dose of a long-actinghematopoietic factor protein analog. In one aspect, the long-actinghematopoietic factor protein analog can be selected from a G-CSF analog,a GM-CSF analog, a GH analog and an IL-11 analog and combinationsthereof.

A further embodiment of the invention relates to a pharmaceuticalcomposition comprising one or more long-acting hematopoietic factorprotein analog selected from the group consisting of a long-acting G-CSFanalog, a long-acting GM-CSF analog, a long-acting GH analog, along-acting IL-11 analog and combinations thereof and a pharmaceuticalacceptable carrier.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1. Kaplan-Meier Survival Curves; pooled data from both radiationdose groups (776+796cGy). Mice were exposed to 776cGy or 796cGy andinjected subcutaneously with either 100 μg/kg/day or 300 μg/kg/daypeg-G-CSF analog BBT-015 for 9 doses (every other day from day 1 (d1) today 17 (d17); filled symbols). Control mice were similarly injected butwith vehicle (open symbols). Thirty-day survival (p<0.001) and overallsurvival time (p≤0.022) were significantly increased in mice treatedwith either dose of peg-G-CSF analog BBT-015. Mice were not treated withantibiotics. N=40 mice per group.

FIG. 2. Kaplan-Meier Survival Curves; 776cGy dose groups only. Mice wereexposed to 776cGy and injected subcutaneously with either 100 μg/kg/dayor 300 μg/kg/day peg-G-CSF analog BBT-015 for 9 doses (every other dayfrom d1 to d17; filled symbols). Control mice were similarly injectedbut with vehicle (open symbols). Mice were not treated with antibiotics.N=20 mice per group.

FIG. 3. Kaplan-Meier Survival Curves; 796cGy dose groups only. Mice wereexposed to 796 cGy and injected subcutaneously with either 100 μg/kg/dayor 300 μg/kg/day peg-G-CSF analog BBT-015 for 9 doses (every other dayfrom d1 to d17; filled symbols). Control mice were similarly injectedbut with vehicle (open symbols). Mice were not treated with antibiotics.N=20 mice per group.

FIG. 4. Kaplan-Meier Survival Curves; pooled data from both radiationdose groups (776+796cGy). Mice were exposed to 776cGy or 796cGy andinjected subcutaneously with either 100 μg/kg/day or 300 μg/kg/daypeg-GM-CSF analog BBT-007 for 9 doses (every other day from d1 to d17;filled symbols). Control mice were similarly injected but with vehicle(open symbols). Thirty-day survival (p=0.343) and overall survival time(p=0.233) were not significantly different in mice treated with 100μg/kg/day of peg-GM-CSF analog BBT-007. However, thirty-day survival ofmice treated with 300 μg/kg/day of peg-GM-CSF analog BBT-007 wasmarginally increased (p=0.050), and overall survival time (p=0.037) wassignificantly increased, compared to controls. Mice were not treatedwith antibiotics. N=40 mice per group.

FIG. 5. Kaplan-Meier Survival Curves; 776cGy dose groups only. Mice wereexposed to 776 cGy and injected subcutaneously with either 100 μg/kg/dayor 300 μg/kg/day peg-GM-CSF analog BBT-007 for 9 doses (every other dayfrom d1 to d17; filled symbols). Control mice were similarly injectedbut with vehicle (open symbols). Mice were not treated with antibiotics.N=20 mice per group.

FIG. 6. Kaplan-Meier Survival Curves; 796cGy dose groups only. Mice wereexposed to 796 cGy and injected subcutaneously with either 100 μg/kg/dayor 300 μg/kg/day peg-GM-CSF analog BBT-007 for 9 doses (every other dayfrom d1 to d17; filled symbols). Control mice were similarly injectedbut with vehicle (open symbols). Mice were not treated with antibiotics.N=20 mice per group.

FIG. 7. Kaplan-Meier Survival Curves; pooled data from both radiationdose groups (786+810 cGy). Mice were exposed to 786 cGy or 810 cGy andinjected subcutaneously with either 0.3 mg/kg or 1.0 mg/kg PEG-G-CSFanalog BBT-015 on d1 after irradiation (filled symbols). Control micewere similarly injected but with vehicle (open symbols). Thirty-daysurvival was significantly increased in both groups of mice treated with0.3 mg/kg or 1.0 mg/kg of PEG-G-CSF analog BBT-015 (p=0.001 and p>0.001,respectively). N=40 mice per group.

FIG. 8. Kaplan-Meier Survival Curves; 786cGy dose groups only. Mice wereexposed to 786 cGy and injected subcutaneously with either 0.3 mg/kg or1.0 mg/kg peg-G-CSF analog BBT-015 on d1 after irradiation (filledsymbols). Control mice were similarly injected but with vehicle (opensymbols). Mice were not treated with antibiotics. N=20 mice per group.

FIG. 9. Kaplan-Meier Survival Curves; 810 cGy dose groups only. Micewere exposed to 810 cGy and injected subcutaneously with either 0.3mg/kg or 1.0 mg/kg peg-G-CSF analog BBT-015 on d1 after irradiation(filled symbols). Control mice were similarly injected but with vehicle(open symbols). Mice were not treated with antibiotics. N=20 mice pergroup.

FIG. 10. Kaplan-Meier Survival Curves; pooled data from both radiationdose groups (792+806 cGy). Mice were exposed to 792 cGy or 806 cGy andinjected subcutaneously with either 0.3 mg/kg or 1.0 mg/kg PEG-GM-CSFanalog BBT-007 on days 1, 3 and 5 after irradiation (filled symbols).Control mice were similarly injected but with vehicle (open symbols).Thirty-day survival was significantly increased in both groups of micetreated with 0.3 mg/kg or 1.0 mg/kg of PEG-GM-CSF analog BBT-007. N=40mice per group.

FIG. 11. Kaplan-Meier Survival Curves; 792 cGy dose groups only. Micewere exposed to 792 cGy and injected subcutaneously with either 0.3mg/kg or 1.0 mg/kg peg-GM-CSF analog BBT-007 on days 1, 3 and 5 afterirradiation (filled symbols). Control mice were similarly injected butwith vehicle (open symbols). N=20 mice per group.

FIG. 12. Kaplan-Meier Survival Curves; 806 cGy dose groups only. Micewere exposed to 806 cGy and injected subcutaneously with either 0.3mg/kg or 1.0 mg/kg peg-GM-CSF analog BBT-007 on days 1, 3 and 5 afterirradiation (filled symbols). Control mice were similarly injected butwith vehicle (open symbols). N=20 mice per group.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed toward methods to acceleratehematopoietic recovery and improve survival in a subject that has beenor will be exposed to radiation. The invention includes administering aneffective dose of a long-acting hematopoietic factor protein analog orcombinations thereof to the subject either following the subject'sexposure to radiation or prior to the subject's exposure to radiation.

Accelerated hematopoietic recovery generally refers to acceleratedrecovery of a subject's blood cell count or level of various blood celltypes including but not limited to white blood cell levels, neutrophillevels, lymphocyte levels, monocyte levels, macrophage levels,eosinophil levels, basophil levels, dendritic cell levels, T lymphocytelevels, B lymphocyte levels, red blood cell levels, platelet levels andcombinations thereof, after the subject has been exposed to radiationcompared to levels of the same blood cell type from subjects who havenot been exposed to radiation (non-exposed or control subjects).Accelerated hematopoietic recovery can also refers to acceleratedrecovery of a subject's hemoglobin and hematocrit levels compared tothese levels from a control. Hemoglobin is a major protein component ofred blood cells and changes in hemoglobin levels typically correlatewith changes in red blood cell levels. Hematocrit or packed cell volumeis a measure of the blood volume that is comprised of red blood cells,thus changes in hematocrit levels typically correlate with changes in asubject's red blood cell levels.

Hematopoietic recovery can be complete, i.e., to levels comparable tolevels from non-exposed (control) subjects, or incomplete, i.e., tolevels greater than the blood cell nadir but below levels seen innon-exposed (control) subjects. Accelerated hematopoietic recoverygenerally refers to hematopoietic recovery that occurs sooner comparedto subjects that have been exposed to radiation but have not beenadministered an effective dose of a long acting hemapoietic factorprotein analog of the present invention. In one embodiment of theinvention, the subject's platelet level recovers to levels comparable tolevels from a non-exposed subject (control). In another embodiment, asubject's red blood cell level recovers comparable to levels from anon-exposed subject. In still another embodiment, the subject's plateletlevel and red blood cell level recovery to levels comparable to levelsfrom a non-exposed subject. In another embodiment of the invention thesubject's white blood cell level recovers to levels comparable to levelsfrom a non-exposed subject (control). In another embodiment of theinvention the subject's neutrophil level recovers to levels comparableto levels from a non-exposed subject (control). In another embodiment ofthe invention the subject's lymphocyte level recovers to levelscomparable to levels from a non-exposed subject (control). In stillanother embodiment, the subject's neutrophil level, platelet level andred blood cell level recover to levels comparable to levels from anon-exposed subject. In still another embodiment, the subject'sneutrophil level, lymphocyte level, platelet level and red blood celllevel recover to levels comparable to levels from a non-exposed subject.In still another embodiment, the subject's neutrophil level, white bloodcell level, lymphocyte level, platelet level and red blood cell levelrecover to levels comparable to levels from a non-exposed subject.

Methods of the invention may be used to accelerate hematopoieticrecovery in a variety of subjects that have been exposed to radiation.In one embodiment, the subject has been diagnosed as having ARS. Inanother embodiment, the subject has been diagnosed as havingcomplications of therapeutic radiation treatment. In another embodiment,the subject includes all animals and preferably, any member of theVertebrate class, Mammalia, including, without limitation, primates,rodents, livestock and domestic pets. Livestock include mammals to beconsumed or that produce useful products (e.g., sheep for woolproduction). Preferred mammals include humans, dogs, cats, mice, rats,sheep, cattle, horses and pigs, with humans being particularlypreferred.

In one embodiment of the invention, the subject has been exposed to highand/or lethal radiation doses that typically results in the subjectdeveloping a set of well characterized radiation dose-dependent andtime-dependent organ malfunctions including but not limited to bonemarrow aplasia, severe neutropenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia, andlymphopenia, within 2-3 weeks of radiation exposure. Subjects can beexposed to high and/or lethal radiation doses for example in a hospitalsetting, such as for treating diseases with therapeutic radiation (e.g.,cancer), as a result of detonation of a nuclear device, or leakage ofradioactive substances, e.g., from a nuclear power plant. Therapeuticradiation treatment is radiation treatment given to a patient to affecta therapeutic outcome such as killing cancer cells or slowing the growthof cancer cells.

The hematopoietic factor protein analogs of the present invention aremembers of the growth hormone supergene family of proteins and includebut are not limited to G-CSF analogs, GM-CSF analogs, GH analogs, IL-11analogs and EPO analogs. Long-acting hematopoietic factor proteinanalogs include but are not limited to cysteine muteins, polymermodified analogs and fusion protein analogs of the growth hormonesupergene family of proteins. Long-acting G-CSF, long-acting GM-CSF,long-acting interleukin-11, long acting GH, long acting EPO proteinanalogs as well as other Growth Hormone supergene family protein analogshave been created by using various fusion protein and polymermodification technologies, including site-specific PEGylationtechnology. G-CSF, GM-CSF, IL-11 and GH cysteine analogs are describedin U.S. Pat. No. 6,608,183, U.S. Pat. No. 6,753,165, U.S. Pat. No.7,306,931, U.S. Pat. No. 7,309,781, U.S. Pat. No. 7,232,885, U.S. Pat.No. 7,306,931, U.S. Pat. No. 7,214,779, U.S. Pat. No. 7,148,333, U.S.Pat. No. 7,495,087, U.S. Pat. No. 7,253,267, and U.S. Pat. No.8,133,480, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.Site-specific PEGylation permits the rational design of homogeneousPEG-protein conjugates with defined structures and preserved biologicalactivities (Goodson and Katre, 1990). Site-specific PEGylation isaccomplished by covalent attachment of cysteine-specific PEGs(maleimide- or vinylsulfone-PEGs) to engineered cysteine residues inproteins. At near neutral pH, these PEG reagents selectively attach tothe thiol groups of “free” cysteine residues, i.e., cysteine residuesnot involved in disulfide bonds. The resulting conjugates arehydrolytically stable. Site-specific PEGylation overcomes the problemsof product heterogeneity and loss of bioactivity that often occurs whenproteins are modified using amine-reactive PEGylation technology andreagents. For example, in vitro biological activities of thesite-specific PEGylated G-CSF cysteine analog, G-CSF (A141C; alanine atposition 141 changed to cysteine; long-acting), are comparable to thatof G-CSF, and 50-fold better than that of G-CSF proteins modified byconventional amine PEGylation technologies (Bowen et al., 1999; U.S.Pat. No. 7,306,931). The PEG-G-CSF (A141C) protein has an 8- to 10-foldlonger half-life than G-CSF in rodents. PEG-G-CSF (A141C) alsostimulated greater and longer lasting increases in neutrophils and whiteblood cells than unmodified G-CSF in normal rats. PEG-G-CSF (A141C)accelerated recovery from neutropenia following a single injection inchemotherapy (cyclophosphamide)-treated rats whereas unmodified G-CSFwas ineffective as a single injection.

G-CSF is a pluripotent cytokine that stimulates the proliferation,differentiation and function of granulocytes. The protein is produced byactivated monocytes and macrophages. The amino acid sequence of G-CSF(SEQ ID NO: 1) is given in Souza et al. (1986), Nagata et al. (1986a, b)and U.S. Pat. No. 4,810,643 all incorporated herein by reference. Thehuman protein is synthesized as a preprotein of 204 or 207 amino acidsthat is cleaved to yield mature proteins of 174 or 177 amino acids. Thelarger form has lower specific activity than the smaller form. Theprotein contains 5 cysteine residues, 4 of which form two disulfidebonds. The fifth cysteine residue, cysteine-17, is unpaired or “free”.C17 causes G-CSF to be unstable and aggregate at physiological pH and at37° C. (Lu et al., 1989; Arakawa et al., 1993). Preferred embodiments ofthe present invention are G-CSF analogs and PEG-G-CSF analogs that donot contain C17, i.e., the preferred G-CSF analogs contain anon-cysteine amino acid, preferable alanine or serine, substituted forC17. G-CSF analogs containing a non-cysteine amino acid at position 17are more stable than G-CSF at physiological pH and at 37° C. However,the present invention encompasses G-CSF analogs and PEG-G-CSF analogsthat do contain C17 and G-CSF analogs and PEG-G-CSF analogs that containa non-cysteine amino acid, preferably alanine or serine, substituted forC17. In one embodiment, the long-acting G-CSF protein analog containsA141C and C17S amino acid substitutions and is further modified with a40 kDa-PEG (this analog is referred to as “BBT-0015”). Additional sitesfor the introduction of cysteine residues in human G-CSF are: T1, P2,L3, G4, P5, A6, S7, S8, L9, P10, Q11, S12, T38, K40, S53, G55, W58, A59,P60, S62, S63, P65, S66, Q67, A68, Q70, A72, Q90, A91, E93, G94, S96,E98, G100, G125, M126, A127, A129, Q131, T133, Q134, G135, A136, A139,A141, 5142, A143, Q145, Q173 and P174. Most preferred cysteinesubstitution positions are: T1, P2, L3, A6, S7, W58, A68, E93, A129,Q131, T133, Q134, A136, A139, A141 and Q173. Cysteine residues also canbe added preceding the first amino acid of the mature protein, i.e.,preceding T1, or following the last amino acid in the mature protein,i.e., following P174.

GM-CSF stimulates the proliferation and differentiation of varioushematopoietic cells, including neutrophil, monocyte, eosinophil,erythroid, and megakaryocyte cell lineages. The amino acid sequence ofhuman GM-CSF (SEQ ID NO: 2) is given in Cantrell et al. (1985) and Leeet al (1985) both incorporated herein by reference. GM-CSF is producedas a 144 amino acid preprotein that is cleaved to yield a mature 127amino acid protein. The mature protein has two sites for N-linkedglycosylation. One site is located at the C-terminal end of Helix A; thesecond site is in the A-B loop.

In another embodiment of the method of the present invention, arecombinant long-acting human GM-CSF protein analog comprises an A3Camino acid substitution. In another aspect the human long acting GM-CSFcomprises an A3C amino acid substitution and is further modified with a40 kDa-PEG (this analog is referred to as “BBT-007”). In still anotheraspect, the long acting GM-CSF protein analog is a human GM-CSF proteinanalog comprising one or more cysteine substitutions or additions.Additional sites for the introduction of cysteine residues in humanGM-CSF are: A1, P2, A3, R4, S5, P6, S7, P8, S9, T10, Q11, N27, L28, S29,R30, D31, T32, A33, A34, E35, N37, E38, T39, E41, S44, E45, D48, Q50,E51, T53, Q64, G65, R67, G68, S69, L70, T71, K72, K74, G75, T91, E93,T94, S95, A97, T98, T102, I117, D120, E123, V125, Q126 and E127. Mostpreferred cysteine substitution positions are: A1, A3, S5, S7, N27, T32,A33, E51, R67, S69, E93, T94, T98, Q99, T102, E123, V125, Q126, andE127. Cysteine residues also can be added preceding the first amino acidof the mature protein, i.e., preceding A1, or following the final aminoacid of the mature protein, i.e., following E127.

Human and rodent GM-CSF proteins perform similar functions in theirrespective species. Human and rodent GM-CSF proteins share 50-60% aminoacid identity, but there is no cross species cross-reactivity in termsof biological activity or receptor binding. It is possible to use thesignificant amino acid identity between human and rodent GM-CSF proteinsto construct murine GM-CSF hematopoietic factor protein analogs that areanalogues of human GM-CSF hematopoietic factor protein analogs. Themurine GM-CSF analogs can be expressed, purified and PEGylated usingprocedures similar to those described for human GM-CSF and in PCTApplication No. PCT/US01/16088 (WO 01/87925).

In still another embodiment, the GM-CSF protein analog is a murineGM-CSF protein analog (SEQ ID NO:6) comprising one or more cysteinesubstitutions or additions. In another embodiment, the murine GM-CSFprotein analog comprises a T3C amino acid substitution. In still anotheraspect, the murine GM-CSF protein analog comprising a T3C substitutionis further modified with a 40 kDa-PEG (this analog is referred to as“murine BBT-007”). Methods for making the murine GM-CSF protein analogsare described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,994,124.

IL-11 is a pleiotropic cytokine that stimulates hematopoiesis,lymphopoeisis and acute phase responses. IL-11 shares many biologicaleffects with IL-6. The amino acid sequence of human IL-11 (SEQ ID NO: 3)is given in Kawashima et al. (1991) and Paul et al. (1990) bothincorporated herein by reference. IL-11 is synthesized as a precursorprotein of 199 amino acids that is cleaved to yield a mature protein of178 amino acids. Cleavage results in removal of the amino-terminal 21amino acid signal sequence required for secretion. There are no N-linkedglycosylation sites in the protein.

In still another embodiment of the method of the present invention, therecombinant long-acting human IL-11 protein analog comprises a cysteineresidue added following the carboxy-terminal amino acid of the matureIL-11 protein. In another embodiment, the long acting human IL-11protein analog comprises a cysteine residue added following thecarboxy-terminal amino acid of the mature human IL-11 protein and isfurther modified with a 40 kDa-PEG (referred to BBT-059 or IL-11(*200C)). The long-acting IL-11 analogs of the present invention may ormay not contain the amino-terminal proline-22 amino acid of nativemature human IL-11 (IL-11 in which the 21 amino acid signal sequence hasbeen removed). The long-acting IL-11 analogs of the present inventionmay have glycine-23 as the amino-terminal amino acid. In still anotherembodiment, the long acting human IL-11 protein analog comprises one ormore cysteine substitutions or additions. Additional sites for theintroduction of cysteine residues in human IL-11 are: P22, G23, P24,P25, P26, G27, P28, P29, R30, V31, S32, P33, D34, P35, R36, A37, D38,L39, R54, Q55, L56, A57, A58, Q59, L60, R61, D62, K63, F64, P65, A66,D67, G68, D69, H70, N71, L72, D73, S74, L75, P76, T77, L78, A79, M80,S81, A82, G83, A84, L85, G86, A87, L88, Q89, L90, P91, G92, V93, L94,W110, L111, R112, E125, L126, G127, 5145, R146, L147, A148, L149, P150,Q151, P152, P153, P154, D155, P156, P157, A158, P159, P160, L161, A162,P163, P164, S165, S166, A167, W168, G169, G170, I171, R172, A173, A174,H175, L194, L195, K196, T197, R198, and L199. Most preferred cysteinesubstitution positions are: P22, G23, P24, P25, G27, E38, L39, D69, L72,S74, T77, A114, S117, E123, A148, Q151, A158, A162, and S165. Cysteineresidues also can be added preceding the first amino acid of the matureprotein, i.e., preceding P22, or following the final amino acid of themature protein, i.e., following L199.

The sequence of human GH is well known (see, e.g., Martial et al. 1979;Goeddel et al. 1979 which are incorporated herein by reference; SEQ IDNO:4). GH is closely related in sequence to prolactin and placentallactogen and these three proteins were considered originally to comprisea small gene family. The primary sequence of GH is highly conservedamong animal species (Abdel-Meguid et al., 1987), consistent with theprotein's broad species cross-reactivity. The three dimensional foldingpattern of porcine GH has been solved by X-ray crystallography(Abdel-Meguid et al., 1987). The protein has a compact globularstructure, comprising four amphipathic alpha helical bundles joined byloops. Human GH has a similar structure (de Vos et al., 1992). The fouralpha helical regions are termed A-D beginning from the N-terminus ofthe protein. The loop regions are referred to by the helical regionsthey join, e.g., the A-B loop joins helical bundles A and B. The A-B andC-D loops are long, whereas the B-C loop is short. GH contains fourcysteine residues, all of which participate in disulfide bonds. Thedisulfide assignments are cysteine53 joined to cysteine165 andcysteine182 joined to cysteine189. In another embodiment of the methodof the present invention, a recombinant long-acting human GH proteinanalog comprises a P133C amino acid substitution. In yet anotherembodiment, the long acting human GH protein analog comprises a P133Camino acid substitution and is further modified with a 40 kDa-PEG. Inanother embodiment of the method of the present invention, a recombinantlong-acting human GH protein analog comprises a T3C amino acidsubstitution. In still another embodiment, the long-acting human GHprotein analog comprises a T3C amino acid substitution and is furthermodified with a 40 kDa-PEG. In still another embodiment, the long actinghuman GH protein analog comprises one or more cysteine substitutions oradditions Additional sites for the introduction of cysteine residues inhuman GH are: F1, T3, P5, E33, A34, Y35, K38, E39, Q40, S43, Q46, N47,P48, Q49, T50, S51, S55, T60, A98, N99, S100, G104, A105, S106, E129,D130, G131, S132, P133, T135, G136, Q137, K140, Q141, T142, S144, K145,D147, T148, N149, S150, H151, N152, D153, S184, E186, G187, S188, andG190. Most preferred cysteine substitution positions are: P2C, T3C, PSC,K38C, Q40C, S55C, S57, N99C, L101C, V102C, Y103C, S132C, P133C, R134C,Q137C, K140C, Q141, Y143, S144C, D147C, T148C, N149, E186C and G187C.Cysteine residues also can be added preceding the N-terminal amino acidof the mature protein, i.e., preceding the F1 amino acid, or followingthe last amino acid in the mature protein, i.e., following F191.

EPO is the hormone primarily responsible for stimulating erythropoiesisor red blood cell formation. EPO acts on immature red blood cellprecursors to stimulate their further proliferation and differentiationinto mature red blood cells. A commercial pharmaceutical version isavailable from Amgen, Inc. Human EPO is a 35-39 kDa glycoproteinsecreted by the adult kidney. The mature human protein contains 166amino acids and is heavily glycosylated. The sequence of human EPO (SEQID NO: 5) is shown in Lin et al 1985 and Jacobs et al. 1985, which areincorporated herein by reference. The primary sequence of EPO is highlyconserved among species (greater than 80% identity; Wen et al., 1994).Sugar groups account for greater than 40% of the protein's mass. HumanEPO contains three N-linked glycosylation sites and one O-linkedglycosylation site. Certain amino acids in EPO are non-essential forbiological activity and can be mutated to cysteine residues withoutaltering the normal disulfide binding pattern and overall conformationof the molecule. These amino acids are located in the A-B loop (aminoacids 23-58 of the mature protein sequence), the B-C loop (amino acids77-89 of the mature protein sequence), the C-D loop (amino acids 108-131of the mature protein sequence), proximal to helix A (amino acids 1-8)and distal to helix D (amino acids 153-166 of the mature proteinsequence).

In one embodiment of the method of the present invention a dose of longacting EPO protein analog is administered to the subject. Sites forcysteine substitutions are the O-linked glycosylation site (serine-126)and the amino acids comprising the three N-linked glycosylation sites(N24, I25, T26, N38, I39, T40, N83, S84, S85). Other preferred sites forcysteine substitutions in these regions are: A1, P2, P3, R4, D8, S9,T27, G28, A30, E31, H32, S34, N36, D43, T44, K45, N47, A50, K52, E55,G57, Q58, G77, Q78, A79, Q86, W88, E89, T107, R110, A111, G113, A114,Q115, K116, E117, A118, S120, P121, P122, D123, A124, A125, A127, A128,T132, K154, T157, G158, E159, A160, T163, G164, D165 and R166. Cysteineresidues also can be introduced proximal to the first amino acid of themature protein, i.e., proximal to A1, or distal to the final amino acidin the mature protein, i.e., distal to D165 or R166. Other variants inwhich cys-29 or cys-33 have been replaced with other amino acids,preferably serine or alanine, also are provided.

In one embodiment, long-acting hematopoietic factor protein analogs arefused to a second protein selected from albumin, transferrin,transferrin receptors, or elastin and elastin-like proteins. Fusionprotein analogs can be long-acting fusion proteins comprisinglong-acting G-CSF, long-acting GM-CSF, long-acting IL-11 and long-actingGH fused to immunoglobulin domains (described in U.S. Pat. No.7,754,855). In another embodiment, long-acting hematopoietic factorprotein analogs are fused to any second protein that confers a longerhalf-life to the hematopoietic factor fusion protein compared to thenon-fused hematopoietic factor. The hematopoietic factor protein can befused to the amino-terminus of the second protein, to thecarboxy-terminus of the second protein, or in between two amino acids ofthe second protein. The hematopoietic factor may be fused to the secondprotein via an intervening peptide linker or it may be fused to thesecond protein directly, i.e., without an intervening peptide linker.Examples of joining two proteins as direct fusion proteins and as fusionproteins with peptide linkers are provided in U.S. Pat. No. 7,754,855.

In still other embodiments of the present invention, a polymer can beused for modifying the hematopoietic factor protein. The polymer can beany polymer that confers a half-life that is longer than the half-lifeof the non-polymer-modified hematopoietic factor protein in animals.

In still other embodiments of the present invention, the polymer usedfor modifying the protein can be PEG. The PEG can be any PEG thatconfers a half-life that is longer than the half-life of the unPEGylatedprotein in animals.

In still other embodiments of the present invention, the polymer usedfor modifying the protein can be any polymer that confers a half-lifethat is longer than the half-life of the non-polymer-modified protein inanimals.

In still other embodiments of the present invention, the fusion proteinused for modifying the protein can be any fusion protein that confers ahalf-life that is longer than the half-life of the non-fusionprotein-modified protein in animals.

Peptides that bind and activate cellular receptors for G-CSF, GM-CSF,GH, IL-11, other members of the growth hormone supergene family andother hematopoietic factors have been described in the literature. Themethods described herein also may be applied to using these peptides andlong-acting analogs of these peptides for accelerating hematopoieticrecovery and improving survival in subjects who have been exposed toradiation.

In embodiments of the present invention, the long-acting hematopoieticfactor protein analog is administered to the subject in a dose thatprovides therapeutic benefits to the subject. Therapeutic benefitsinclude but are not limited to accelerated hematopoietic recovery and/orsurvival benefits (improved survival) to subjects. Survival benefitsinclude an increase in life expectancy of a subject that has beenexposed to radiation.

According to the present invention, an effective administration protocol(i.e., administering the hematopoietic factor protein analog in aneffective manner) comprises suitable dose parameters and modes ofadministration that result in the desired effect in the subject (e.g.,acceleration of hematopoietic recovery).

In accordance with the present invention, a suitable single dose size isa dose that results in the desired therapeutic effect in the subject,when administered one or more times over a suitable time period. Dosescan vary and one of skill in the art can readily determine appropriatesingle dose sizes for a given subject based on the size of a patient andthe route of administration.

In one aspect of the invention, a suitable single dose of the longacting hematopoietic factor protein analog of the present invention isan amount that, when administered by any route of administration,provides a therapeutic effect in the subject as described above, ascompared to a patient which has not been administered the long actinghematopoietic factor protein analog of the present invention (i.e., acontrol), as compared to the subject prior to administration of thelong-acting hematopoietic factor protein analog.

In one aspect of the invention an appropriate single dose of thelong-acting hematopoietic factor protein analog is at least about 0.1 μgper kg of the subject to which the long acting hematopoietic factorprotein analog is administered, and in other aspects, at least about 0.5μg/kg, at least about 1.0 μg/kg, at least about 1.5 μg/kg, at leastabout 2.0 μg/kg, at least about 2.5 μg/kg, at least about 3.0 μg/kg, atleast about 3.5 μg/kg, at least about 4.0 μg/kg, at least about 4.5μg/kg, at least about 5.0 μg/kg, at least about 5.5 μg/kg, at leastabout 6.0 μg/kg, at least about 6.5 μg/kg, at least about at least about7.0 μg/kg, at least about 8.0 μg/kg, at least about 9.0 μg/kg, at leastabout 10 μg/kg, at least about 15 μg/kg, at least about 20 μg/kg, atleast about 25 μg/kg, at least about 30 μg/kg, at least about 35 μg/kg,at least about 40 μg/kg, at least about 45 μg/kg, at least about 50μg/kg, at least about 55 μg/kg, at least about 60 μg/kg, at least about65 μg/kg, at least about 70 μg/kg, at least about 75 μg/kg, at leastabout 80 μg/kg, at least about 85 μg/kg, at least about 90 μg/kg, atleast about 95 μg/kg, at least about 100 μg/kg, at least about 110μg/kg, at least about 120 μg/kg, at least about 130 μg/kg, at leastabout 140 μg/kg, at least about 150 μg/kg, at least about 160 μg/kg, atleast about 170 μg/kg, at least about 180 μg/kg, at least about 190μg/kg, at least about 200 μg/kg, at least about 210 μg/kg, at leastabout 220 μg/kg, at least about 230 μg/kg, at least about 240 μg/kg, atleast about 250 μg/kg, at least about 260 μg/kg, at least about 270μg/kg, at least about 280 μg/kg, at least about 290 μg/kg, at leastabout 300 μg/kg, at least about 310 μg/kg, at least about 320 μg/kg, atleast about 330 μg/kg, at least about 340 μg/kg, at least about 350μg/kg, at least about 360 μg/kg, at least about 370 μg/kg, at leastabout 380 μg/kg, at least about 390 μg/kg, at least about 400 μg/kg, atleast about 420 μg/kg, at least about 440 μg/kg, at least about 460μg/kg, at least about 480 μg/kg, at least about 500 μg/kg, at leastabout 600 μg/kg, at least about 700 μg/kg, at least about 800 μg/kg, atleast about 900 μg/kg, at least about 1.0 mg/kg, at least about 1.5mg/kg, at least about 2.0 mg/kg, at least about 2.5 mg/kg, at leastabout 3.0 mg/kg, at least about 3.5 mg/kg, at least about 4.0 mg/kg, atleast about 4.5 mg/kg, at least about 5.0 mg/kg, at least about 5.5mg/kg, at least about 6.0 mg/kg, at least about 6.5 mg/kg, at leastabout 10 mg/kg, or any dose within this range.

In still another aspect, the effective dose of the long-actinghematopoietic factor protein analog may be administered to the subjectone time following the subject's exposure to radiation. In anotherembodiment, the effective dose may be administered to the subject morethan one time following exposure to radiation. For example, the dose maybe administered to the subject two times, three times, four times, fivetimes, six times, seven times, eight times, nine times, ten times, or upto thirty times following radiation exposure. In still another aspect,the long-acting hematopoietic factor protein analog can be administeredto the subject from one to nine times following radiation exposure, morepreferably from one to three times following radiation exposure and mostpreferably one time following radiation exposure.

In another embodiment of the invention, the step of administering thelong acting hematopoietic factor protein analog is conducted afterexposure to radiation. In some embodiments, the step of administering isconducted shortly after the exposure. For example, the step ofadministering can be conducted immediately after radiation exposure orwithin about 2 hours, within about 4 hours, within about 10 hours,within about 20 hours, within about 24 hours, or within about 30 hoursafter exposure. In another embodiment, the step of administering isconducted after about 24 hours after radiation exposure. In stillanother aspect of the invention the long-acting hematopoietic factor canbe administered to a subject immediately after radiation exposure or upto 30 days following radiation exposure. More preferably the long-actinghematopoietic factor is administered to a subject immediately afterradiation exposure or up to 7 days following radiation exposure. In onepreferred aspect, the long acting hematopoietic factor protein analog isadministered to the subject within four hours following the subject'sexposure to the radiation. In another embodiment, the step ofadministering is initiated at about 24 hours after exposure. In apreferred embodiment, the step of administering is initiated at about 24hours after exposure, followed by additional administration of a longacting hematopoietic factor protein analog using an every other daydosing regimen. For example an every other day dosing regimen can beadministration of the long-acting hematopoietic factor at 1 day, 3 days,5 days, 7 days, 9 days, 11 days, 13 days, 15 days and 17 days afterradiation exposure. In another embodiment, the step of administering isinitiated at about 24 hours after exposure followed by additionaladministration of a long acting hematopoietic factor protein analogusing a once per week dosing regimen. For example a once per week dosingregimen can be administration of a single dose of the long-actinghematopoietic factor at about 24 hours after exposure, followed byanother dose one week after exposure, followed by another dose thesecond week after exposure, followed by another dose the third weekafter exposure, followed by another dose the fourth week after exposure,and followed by another dose the fifth week after exposure. The per weekdosing regimen can occur for about two weeks, three weeks, four weeks,five weeks, six weeks, seven weeks, eight weeks, nine weeks or tenweeks. In another embodiment, the dose may be administered once everytwo weeks following exposure to radiation. In still another embodiment,the dose may be administered once every three weeks following exposureto radiation. In yet another embodiment, the dose may be administeredonce every four weeks following exposure to radiation. In still otherembodiments, more than one dose weekly may be administered.

Doses may be administered to the subject until hematopoietic recovery isachieved. This includes for example, a return of the subject's red bloodcell level, platelet level and/or both levels to levels found insubjects that have not been exposed to radiation (e.g. normal levels fora subject of the same gender and similar age group and weight range).This also includes for example, a return of the subject's neutrophillevel, red blood cell level, platelet level and/or any combination oftwo or more of these blood cell levels to levels found in subjects thathave not been exposed to radiation (e.g. normal levels for a subject ofthe same gender and similar age group and weight range). This alsoincludes for example, a return of the subject's neutrophil level, whiteblood cell level, lymphocyte level and/or any combination of two or moreof these blood cell levels to levels found in subjects that have notbeen exposed to radiation (e.g. normal levels for a subject of the samegender and similar age group and weight range). This also includes forexample, a return of the subject's neutrophil level, red blood celllevel, platelet level, lymphocyte level and/or any combination of two ormore of these blood cell levels to levels found in subjects that havenot been exposed to radiation (e.g. normal levels for a subject of thesame gender and similar age group and weight range).

In still further embodiments of the invention, the dose may beadministered to the subject until several days after the subject's bloodcell nadir occurs (low point of blood counts). The nadir time typicallyoccurs between days 10-30 following exposure to radiation and isdependent upon the blood cell type (white blood cells, red blood cells,platelets, neutrophils, etc.). For instance, the nadirs for neutrophils,white blood cells, lymphocytes and platelets typically are about 10-20days following radiation exposure. The time to reach the neutrophil andwhite blood cell nadir typically is longer in ARS subjects (15 days ormore) than in chemotherapy-treated subjects (about 7 days). Red bloodcell nadirs, hematocrit nadirs and hemoglobin nadirs typically occurlater, between days 20-30 following radiation exposure, due to thelonger half-life of red blood cells in the body.

In another embodiment, the method of the present invention is directedtoward the administration of one or more single effective doses of along-acting hematopoietic factor protein prior to a subject's radiationexposure to reduce the severity of radiation-related complications. Inone aspect, the prior administration of the long-acting hematopoieticfactor protein analog may prevent radiation-related complications. Inanother aspect, the administration of an effective dose of a long-actinghematopoietic factor protein analog prior to a subject's radiationexposure accelerates hematopoietic recovery after the subject is exposedto radiation. In one embodiment, one or more single effective doses ofthe long-acting hematopoietic factor protein analog may be administeredto the subject at least about 24 hours prior to exposure. In stillanother aspect, one or more single effective doses of the long-actinghematopoietic factor protein analog will be administered to the subjectat least about 2 days, 5 days, 7 days, 15 days, 30 days, 45 days, 60days, up to 6 months prior to the subject's exposure to radiation. Instill another embodiment, the subject is administered one or more singleeffective doses of a long-acting hematopoietic factor protein analog atleast about 20 hours, 10 hours or 5 hours prior to exposure toradiation. Effective dose amounts of the long-acting hematopoieticfactor protein analog that are administered to the subject prior to thesubject's exposure to radiation are similar to the effective doseamounts administered to a subject following exposure to radiation asdiscussed above. A single effective dose is at least about 0.1 μg per kgof the subject to which the long acting hematopoietic factor proteinanalog is administered, up to an including at least about 10 mg/kg, orany dose within this range. Doses may also be given to a subjectfollowing an every other day dosing regimen wherein one or more singledoses are given over a period of time every other day prior to thesubject's exposure to radiation. Doses may also be given to a subjectfollowing a once per week dosing regimen over a period of time prior toexposure to radiation.

Suitable administration protocols include any in vivo or ex vivoadministration protocol. preferred methods of in vivo administrationinclude, but are not limited to, intravenous administration,intraperitoneal administration, intramuscular administration, intranodaladministration, intracoronary administration, intraarterialadministration (e.g., into a carotid artery), subcutaneousadministration, transdermal delivery, intratracheal administration,subcutaneous administration, intraarticular administration,intraventricular administration, inhalation (e.g., aerosol),intracranial, intraspinal, intraocular, intranasal, oral, bronchial,rectal, topical, vaginal, urethral, pulmonary administration,impregnation of a catheter, and direct injection into a tissue. Routesuseful for deliver to mucosal tissues include, bronchial, intradermal,intramuscular, intranasal, other inhalatory, rectal, subcutaneous,topical, transdermal, vaginal and urethral routes. Combinations ofroutes of delivery can be used and in some instances, may enhance thetherapeutic effects of the composition. Particularly preferred routes ofdelivery include subcutaneous and intravenous delivery.

Ex vivo administration refers to performing part of the regulatory stepoutside of the patient, such as administering a composition of thepresent invention to a population of cells removed from a patient underconditions such that the composition contacts and/or enters the cell,and returning the cells to the patient. Ex vivo methods are particularlysuitable when the target cell type can easily be removed from andreturned to the patient.

Many of the above-described routes of administration, includingintravenous, intraperitoneal, intradermal, and intramuscularadministrations can be performed using methods standard in the art.Aerosol (inhalation) delivery can also be performed using methodsstandard in the art (see, for example, Stribling et al., Proc. Natl.Acad. Sci. USA 189:11277-11281, 1992, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety). Oral delivery can be performed by complexinga therapeutic composition of the present invention to a carrier capableof withstanding degradation by digestive enzymes in the gut of ananimal. Examples of such carriers, include plastic capsules or tablets,such as those known in the art.

One method of local administration is by direct injection. Directinjection techniques are particularly useful for administering acomposition to a cell or tissue that is accessible by surgery, andparticularly, on or near the surface of the body. Administration of acomposition locally within the area of a target cell refers to injectingthe composition centimeters and preferably, millimeters from the targetcell or tissue.

The present invention is also directed toward a pharmaceuticalcomposition comprising one or more long-acting hematopoietic factorprotein analogs and a pharmaceutical acceptable carrier. In oneembodiment, the protein analog is selected from a long-acting G-CSFanalog, a long-acting GM-CSF analog, a long-acting GH analog or along-acting IL-11 analog. In still another embodiment, thepharmaceutical composition is administered to the patient followingradiation exposure.

Long acting hematopoietic factor protein analogs of the presentinvention are preferably administered in a composition. Compositions caninclude a long acting hematopoietic factor protein analog of theinvention and any other suitable pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, aswell as, in some aspects, additional components that may be useful inthe treatment of radiation exposure. According to the present invention,a “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” includes pharmaceuticallyacceptable excipients and/or pharmaceutically acceptable deliveryvehicles, which are suitable for use in administration of thecomposition to a suitable in vitro, ex vivo or in vivo site. A suitablein vitro, in vivo or ex vivo site is preferably any site where the longacting hematopoietic factor protein analog will provide a detectableeffect as compared to in the absence of the long acting hematopoieticfactor protein analog. Preferred pharmaceutically acceptable carriersare capable of maintaining the long acting hematopoietic factor proteinanalog of the present invention in a form that, upon arrival of theanalog at the cell target in a culture or in a subject, the analog iscapable of interacting with its target (e.g., hematopoietic cell forGM-CSF).

Suitable excipients of the present invention include excipients orformularies that transport or help transport, but do not specificallytarget a composition to a cell or area (also referred to herein asnon-targeting carriers). Examples of pharmaceutically acceptableexcipients include, but are not limited to water, phosphate bufferedsaline, Ringer's solution, dextrose solution, serum-containingsolutions, Hank's solution, other aqueous physiologically balancedsolutions, oils, esters and glycols. Aqueous carriers can containsuitable auxiliary substances required to approximate the physiologicalconditions of the recipient, for example, by enhancing chemicalstability and isotonicity. Compositions of the present invention can besterilized by conventional methods and/or lyophilized.

One type of pharmaceutically acceptable carrier includes a controlledrelease formulation that is capable of slowly releasing a composition ofthe present invention into a subject or culture. As used herein, acontrolled release formulation comprises a cysteine mutein of thepresent invention in a controlled release vehicle. Suitable controlledrelease vehicles include, but are not limited to, biocompatiblepolymers, other polymeric matrices, capsules, microcapsules,microparticles, bolus preparations, osmotic pumps, diffusion devices,liposomes, lipospheres, and transdermal delivery systems. Other carriersof the present invention include liquids that, upon administration to asubject, form a solid or a gel in situ. Preferred carriers are alsobiodegradable (i.e., bioerodible). In the event that a long actinghematopoietic factor protein analog of the invention is administered asa recombinant nucleic acid molecule encoding the analog (e.g., genetherapy or genetic immunization), suitable carriers include, but are notlimited to liposomes, viral vectors or other carriers, includingribozymes, gold particles, poly-L-lysine/DNA-molecular conjugates, andartificial chromosomes. Natural lipid-containing carriers include cellsand cellular membranes. Artificial lipid-containing carriers includeliposomes and micelles.

A carrier of the present invention can be modified to target to aparticular site in a subject, thereby targeting and making use of acompound of the present invention at that site. A pharmaceuticallyacceptable carrier which is capable of targeting can also be referred toherein as a “delivery vehicle” or “targeting carrier”. Suitablemodifications include manipulating the chemical formula of the lipidportion of the delivery vehicle and/or introducing into the vehicle atargeting agent capable of specifically targeting a delivery vehicle toa preferred site or target site, for example, a preferred cell type. A“target site” refers to a site in a patient to which one desires todeliver a composition. Suitable targeting compounds include ligandscapable of selectively (i.e., specifically) binding another molecule ata particular site. Examples of such ligands include antibodies,antigens, receptors and receptor ligands. Manipulating the chemicalformula of the lipid portion of the delivery vehicle can modulate theextracellular or intracellular targeting of the delivery vehicle. Forexample, a chemical can be added to the lipid formula of a liposome thatalters the charge of the lipid bilayer of the liposome so that theliposome fuses with particular cells having particular chargecharacteristics.

One delivery vehicle of the present invention is a liposome. A liposomeis capable of remaining stable in an animal for a sufficient amount oftime to deliver a nucleic acid molecule or protein described in thepresent invention to a preferred site in the animal. A liposome,according to the present invention, comprises a lipid composition thatis capable of delivering a nucleic acid molecule or protein to aparticular, or selected, site in a patient. A liposome according to thepresent invention comprises a lipid composition that is capable offusing with the plasma membrane of the targeted cell to deliver anucleic acid molecule or protein into a cell. Suitable liposomes for usewith the present invention include any liposome. Preferred liposomes ofthe present invention include those liposomes commonly used in, forexample, gene delivery methods known to those of skill in the art. Morepreferred liposomes comprise liposomes having a polycationic lipidcomposition and/or liposomes having a cholesterol backbone conjugated topolyethylene glycol. Complexing a liposome with a nucleic acid moleculeor protein of the present invention can be achieved using methodsstandard in the art.

Another type of delivery vehicle, when the long acting hematopoieticfactor protein analog is administered as a nucleic acid encoding theanalog, comprises a viral vector. A viral vector includes an isolatednucleic acid molecule, in which the nucleic acid molecules are packagedin a viral coat that allows entrance of DNA into a cell. A number ofviral vectors can be used, including, but not limited to, those based onalphaviruses, poxviruses, adenoviruses, herpesviruses, lentiviruses,adeno-associated viruses and retroviruses.

The data presented in the following examples, demonstrate the use ofPEG-G-CSF (BBT-015) and PEG-GM-CSF (BBT-007) to serve as effectivemedical countermeasures against high radiation exposure via increasinghematopoietic recovery and subject survival. Unexpectedly, the inventorsdiscovered that these proteins accelerate recovery of multiplehematopoietic cell lineages including neutrophils, white blood cells,lymphocytes, red blood cells, and platelets following radiationexposure. The inventors discovered that these proteins also acceleraterecovery of hemoglobin and hematocrit levels following radiationexposure. Surprisingly, previous studies with G-CSF and GM-CSF analogssuggested that treatment with these proteins had no effect or decreasedplatelet and red blood cell levels (see for example Cox et al., 2004),which is contrary to the findings of the present invention.

The following experimental results are provided for purposes ofillustration and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

EXAMPLES Hematopoietic Screening Assay:

The Test Articles (TA) were PEG-G-CSF analog BBT-015 or PEG-GM-CSFanalog BBT-007 (the murine BBT-007 GM-CSF homolog T3C modified with a 40kDa-PEG was used for the mouse irradiation experiments described in theExamples). The Test Article and Control Article (CA; vehicle solutions)were administered by subcutaneous injection beginning 24+4/−0 hr afterirradiation, then on days 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, and 17 for 9 doses.The test articles doses tested were 100 μg/kg=2.0 μg/20 gm mouse and 300μg/kg=6.0 μg/20 gm mouse. The proteins were diluted in their respectivevehicle solutions, which was 10 mM sodium acetate, pH 4.5, 140 mM NaClfor BBT-015 PEG-G-CSF analog and 10 mM sodium acetate, pH 4.8, 140 mMNaCl for the BBT-007 PEG-GM-CSF analog. The volume of injection permouse was about 100 μL. Mice are weighed during the acclimation periodand an average weight of all females and all males was calculatedseparately. All females were dosed based on the average weight of thefemales, and all males were dosed based on the average weight of themales. The volume of Test Article was adjusted to deliver a dose ofapproximately 2.0 μg or 6.0 μg to each mouse, slightly less than 100 μLto the females, and slightly more than 100 μL to the males. Weights werenot to be taken again during the study; mice continued to be dosed basedon the weight taken during the acclimation period.

Mice: Mus musculus/C57BL/6 strain, aged 10-12 weeks upon studyinitiation were used for these studies. The weight range for the femaleswas 15 gm to 21.5 gm and for the males was 19 gm to 28 gm. There were19-20 animals per group, 50% males and 50% females. Each study had 6test groups as indicated below. An LD50/30 is the dose of radiationexpected to cause death to 50% of an exposed population within 30 days.An LD 70/30 is the dose of radiation expected to cause death to 70% ofan exposed population within 30 days. In general, the number immediatelyfollowing the LD refers to the expected mortality, whereas the numberfollowing the slash refers to the time-frame over which one observes themortality.

-   Group 1. Test Article, 100 μg/kg, 24+4/−0 hr after LD50/30    irradiation, then on days 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, and 17 for 9 doses    (10 Female (F), 10 Male (M))-   Group 2. Test Article, 300 μg/kg, 24+4/−0 hr after LD50/30    irradiation, then on days 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, and 17 for 9 doses    (10F, 10M)-   Group 3. Control Article, 24+4/−0 hr after LD50/30 irradiation, then    on days 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, and 17 for 9 doses (10F, 10M)-   Group 4. Test Article, 100 μg/kg, 24+4/−0 hr after LD70/30    irradiation, then on days 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, and 17 for 9 doses    (10F, 10M)-   Group 5. Test Article, 300 μg/kg, 24+4/−0 hr after LD70/30    irradiation, then on days 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, and 17 for 9 doses    (10F, 10M)-   Group 6. Control Article, 24+4/−0 hr after LD70/30 irradiation, then    on days 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, and 17 for 9 doses (10F, 10M)

After the mice were received, they were placed in cages by sex (up to 5mice per cage) and a sequentially numbered tattoo was applied to eachmouse as well as a specific cage marking. Cages were randomized toeither LD50/30 (grps. 1,2,3) or LD70/30 (grps. 4,5,6) doses ofradiation. Mice were individually randomized to one of the three TestArticle and Control Article groups within each radiation exposure group,with no more than 2 mice per group randomized into each cage. Mice wereprovided acidified water (pH 2.0-3.0) in bottles and fed certifiedcommercial extruded laboratory animal chow (HARLAN 2018SXC) throughoutthe study. On day 4 post-exposure, mice were provided acidifiedautoclaved water in bottles and also in wetted chow (HARLAN 2018SXC) ina petri dish set in the bottom of the cage.

Complete Blood Cell Counts (CBCs) with differential and peripheralsmears were performed at baseline and on study days 10, 20, 25, and 30.Two randomly selected mice/group in different cages were bled on day −3to day −1 for a total of 12 baseline CBCs. Four randomly selectedmice/group were be bled on days 10, 20, 25, and 30 for a total of eightTA-100 μg mice, eight TA-300 μg mice, and eight CA mice (four mice perradiation dose group) at each time point. When possible, the same numberof males and females in each group and in separate cages were selectedfor bleeding. Each mouse was bled a maximum of two times during thestudy and bleeds were at least 14 days apart. Therefore, mice bled atbaseline were not be eligible for bleeding until day 20, and mice bledon day 10 were not be eligible until day 25. Efforts were made to selectmice at each time point that had not been previously bled. CBCs withdifferentials and peripheral smears also were performed on fournon-irradiated age-matched control mice/time point as hematologycontrols.

Radiation Parameters: A dose of radiation equal to the LD50/30 orLD70/30 was delivered as a single uniform total body dose of gammaradiation from a ¹³⁷Cs radiation source (GAMMACELL 40; NordionInternational, Kanata, Ontario, Canada) at an exposure rate of 65-69cGy/minute+/−2.5 cGy. Pilot studies determined the LD50/30 dose ofradiation to be 776cGy and LD70/30 to be 796cGy. Each group of miceirradiated together in the same irradiation pie was roughly dividedamong all groups to ensure that each group received the same irradiationexposure conditions.

Experimental Design: The efficacy of the TA to increase 30 day survivalwas tested at two different doses of TA (100 μg/kg and 300 μg/kg) and attwo different doses of radiation, the LD50/30 and LD70/30. Mice weremonitored for survival once/day until signs of early euthanasia appear,then twice/day until day 30. Endpoints for the study were 30 day overallsurvival, mean survival time (MST) and CBC analyses.

Statistics: The proportion of mice that survive for 30-days werepresented for each treatment and radiation dose group and by treatmentgroup, radiation dose and gender. Logistic Regression was used tocompare overall 30-day survival between each treatment group and thecontrol, adjusted for radiation dose. The model also included gender.MST among decedents was presented by group. MST comparisons between eachtreatment group and the control was performed using analysis of variance(ANOVA) including radiation dose as a factor. Kaplan-Meier SurvivalCurves were used to present survival data by group. A time-to-eventanalysis was also performed on the survival data using a Coxproportional hazards regression model to compare the time to death ofthe treatment groups with radiation dose as a covariate. CBC resultswere compared among treatments using three-way ANOVA with treatment,bleed day and radiation dose as factors. If individual mice were bledmore than once, then a random mouse effect was included in the model.Pair-wise follow-up comparisons of each treatment to the control werealso performed. Thirty day mortality and Cox regression analyses fortreatment comparisons were carried out using a one-tailed 5%significance level. All other tests were conducted as two-sided.

Example 1: Hematopoietic Screening Assay for Radiomitigating Activity ofSubcutaneously Administered PEG-G-CSF Analog BBT-015

This example demonstrates that the dose of PEG-G-CSF analog BBT-015 (100μg/kg/day or 300 μg/kg/day), administered every other day for a total of9 doses beginning 24 hr after exposure to lethal doses of ionizingradiation, is efficacious to increase 30 day survival and overallsurvival time of C57BL/6 mice. The data also indicate that PEG-G-CSFanalog BBT-015 is efficacious at accelerating recovery of multiple typesof hematopoietic cells, including neutrophils, white blood cells,lymphocytes, red blood cells and platelets, compared to vehiclesolution, following exposure to radiation. The data also indicate thatPEG-G-CSF analog BBT-015 is more efficacious at accelerating recovery ofhemoglobin and hematocrit levels than vehicle solution followingexposure to radiation.

Radiation Exposure:

Groups 1, 2, and 3 were exposed to 776cGy of radiation delivered as62.296cGy/min (12 min 28 sec exposure); this radiation dose wasestimated to be the LD50/30 without antibiotics.

Groups 3, 4, and 5 were exposed to 796cGy of radiation delivered as62.296cGy/min (12 min 47 sec exposure); this radiation dose wasestimated to be the LD70/30 without antibiotics.

Mice were irradiated between 8:50 am and 11:37 am in groups of 10-15mice.

The average weights (grams) of the male mice were 24.9±1.5;range=19.6-27.8 and the average weights of the female mice were18.3±1.0; range=16.6-20.3. There was no statistical evidence of a cageeffect observed in this study.

One control mouse in Group 6 was administered an incorrect compound andwas excluded from the analysis.

Thirty Day Survival Results (Table 1 and FIG. 1)

Pooled Data from Both Radiation Dose Groups Combined (776+796cGy)

Thirty day survival of mice treated with 100 μg/kg/day of PEG-G-CSFanalog BBT-015 every other day for 9 doses between days 1-17 wassignificantly increased (70.0% survival) compared to vehicle-treatedmice (28.2% survival, p<0.001). Thirty day survival of mice treatedsimilarly with 300 μg/kg/day PEG-G-CSF analog BBT-015 was alsosignificantly increased (62.5% survival) compared to vehicle (28.2%survival, p<0.001). Thirty day survival of female mice was significantlyincreased compared to males (p<0.001, data not shown). Thirty daysurvival of female mice was greater than males for both BBT-105 dosegroups and the control group.

776cGy Radiation Dose Groups Only (Table 1, FIG. 2):

Thirty day survival of mice exposed to 776cGy and treated with 9 dosesof 100 μg/kg of PEG-G-CSF analog BBT-015 was 80%, whereas similartreatment with 300 μg/kg resulted in 85% survival. Thirty day survivalof controls was lower at 30%.

796cGy Radiation Dose Groups Only (Table 1, FIG. 3):

Thirty day survival of mice exposed to 796cGy and treated with 9 dosesof 100 μg/kg of PEG-G-CSF analog BBT-015 was 60%, whereas 300 μg/kgresulted in 40% survival. Survival in control mice was 26.3%.

TABLE 1 Thirty Day Survival, Mean Survival Time (MST), and OverallSurvival Time 30 d Overall Rad No. of 30 day MST of Survival MSTSurvival Time Group Dose Survivors/ Survival Decedents (p value (p value(p value Description in cGy Total (%) (days) vs. Vehicle) vs. Vehicle)vs. Vehicle) PEG-G-CSF 776 16/20 80 11.5 <0.001 <0.001 0.003 analogBBT-015 796 12/20 60 11.0 (100 μg/kg/day × 9 doses) PEG-G-CSF 776 17/2085 11.7 <0.001 0.001 0.022 analog BBT-015 796  8/20 40 11.1 (300μg/kg/day × 9 doses) Sodium 776  6/20 30 17.1 acetate/NaCl 796  5/1926.3 14.1 control (9 doses)Mean Survival Time (MST) of Decedent Mice; Pooled Data from BothRadiation Dose Groups Combined (776+796cGy, Table 1)

The MST of decedent mice treated with either dose of PEG-G-CSF analogBBT-015 was significantly less compared to controls (100 μg/kg/dayMST=11.2 days, 300 μg/kg/day MST=11.2 days, and control MST=15.6 days,p<0.001 and 0.001, respectively, Table 1), which is a common findingwhen granulocytic growth factors are used as radiomitigators. Thirty daysurvival was higher for females compared to males when data were pooled(p<0.001).

Overall Survival Time; Pooled Data from Both Radiation Dose GroupsCombined (776+796cGy, Table 1):

Cox Regression analysis of overall survival time of mice treated with100 μg/kg/day PEG-G-CSF analog BBT-015 was significantly increasedcompared to controls (p=0.003; Table 1), as was the overall survivaltime of mice treated with 300 μg/kg/day of PEG-G-CSF analog BBT-015(p=0.022; Table 1). The overall survival time of female mice wassignificantly longer compared to males (p<0.001, data not shown).

CBC Analyses: Days −3, 10, 20, 25, and 30 Days Post-Exposure (Table 2):

Peripheral blood obtained from mice on days −3, 10, 20, 25, and 30 wasanalyzed for Complete Blood Count (CBC) by HEMAVET. Blood fromage-matched non-irradiated mice was likewise analyzed. Many CBCparameters were significantly increased in mice treated with PEG-G-CSFBBT-015 compared to controls, as described below and shown in Table 2,particularly on days 20 and 25 post-irradiation, indicating acceleratedhempatopoietic recovery in the BBT-015 treated mice compared tocontrols.

Significant overall differences were found in the white blood cell (WBC)count (p=0.001), absolute neutrophil count (ANC) (p<0.001), red bloodcell (RBC) count (p=0.003), hemoglobin (p<0.001), hematocrit level(p<0.001), and platelet count (p=0.001). The mean WBC for the ControlArticle was significantly lower compared to Test Article, 100 μg/kg, andTest Article, 300 μg/kg (p=0.003, p<0.001). The mean ANC for the ControlArticle was significantly lower compared to Test Article, 100 μg/kg, andTest Article, 300 μg/kg (p<0.001, p<0.001). The mean RBC for the ControlArticle was significantly lower compared to Test Article, 100 μg/kg, andTest Article, 300 μg/kg (p<0.001, p=0.022). The mean hemoglobin levelfor the Control Article was significantly lower compared to TestArticle, 100 μg/kg and Test Article, 300 μg/kg (p<0.001, p<0.001). Themean hematocrit level for the Control Article was significantly lowercompared to Test Article, 100 μg/kg, and Test Article, 300 μg/kg(p=<0.001, p=0.001). The mean platelet count for the Control Article wassignificantly lower compared to Test Article, 100 μg/kg, and TestArticle, 300 μg/kg (p<0.001, p=0.003).

The Complete Blood Cell (CBC) parameters for this example are shown inTable 2. CBCs were performed at baseline (day −3) and on study days 10,20, 25, and 30 from randomly selected male and female mice exposed to776 or 796cGy ionizing radiation and treated with 100 or 300 μg/kg/dayPEG-G-CSF analog BBT-015 every other day for a total of 9 doses. Dataare presented as mean±SD. Abbreviations used are WBC (white blood cells;thousands per microliter); NE (neutrophils; thousands per microliter);Ly (lymphocytes; thousands per microliter); RBC (red blood cells;millions per microliter); Hb (hemoglobin, g/dL); Hct (hematocrit;percent); Plt (platelet, thousand per microliter). Control-NI arenon-irradiated control mice.

CBC PARAMETERS TABLE 2 WBC NE Ly RBC Hb Hct Plt Group Day mean SD meanSD mean SD mean SD mean SD mean SD mean SD Control-NI −3 17.81 3.14 4.551.20 11.52 1.98 10.56 0.80 14.1 1.1 50.0 3.3 986 325 group 1 10 0.300.09 0.06 0.04 0.18 0.02 6.43 1.12 7.0 1.5 28.6 5.8 73 25 group 2 100.35 0.11 0.09 0.06 0.20 0.05 6.49 0.59 7.0 0.8 28.4 2.6 78 23 group 310 0.31 0.09 0.09 0.01 0.23 0.04 5.18 1.70 5.4 2.0 22.5 7.6 45 28 group4 10 0.29 0.06 0.08 0.01 0.22 0.06 5.07 0.43 5.3 0.4 21.4 1.5 48 31group 5 10 0.33 0.10 0.08 0.02 0.22 0.10 4.20 0.73 4.3 0.9 17.8 3.4 4117 group 6 10 0.33 0.12 0.08 0.02 0.25 0.09 5.73 0.79 6.0 0.9 24.8 3.948 25 Control-NI 10 10.77 5.47 2.36 1.22 7.72 3.75 7.26 3.56 8.1 4.333.3 16.7 625 324 group 1 20 9.50 12.03 1.89 0.57 6.72 11.35 6.84 1.1510.7 1.9 38.5 6.4 405 153 group 2 20 7.58 3.35 3.93 3.46 2.56 1.24 7.701.04 12.0 1.7 42.6 6.0 469 55 group 3 20 1.99 1.05 0.50 0.41 1.35 0.863.58 1.38 5.1 2.4 19.1 8.7 193 104 group 4 20 3.78 1.41 1.74 0.66 1.490.66 7.34 1.12 11.1 1.9 39.5 7.1 451 192 group 5 20 7.87 6.65 4.25 5.613.04 3.96 5.11 2.21 8.0 3.2 29.0 11.4 402 149 group 6 20 0.89 0.38 0.240.10 0.53 0.22 2.15 0.70 2.6 0.9 9.2 3.5 113 57 Control-NI 20 17.78 1.483.66 0.81 12.40 1.07 10.52 0.65 14.6 0.9 48.4 2.7 963 165 group 1 256.81 0.55 4.87 0.16 1.35 0.32 9.01 1.22 12.6 1.9 44.7 5.8 685 207 group2 25 11.30 11.32 3.42 0.82 7.08 11.57 7.96 1.96 11.8 2.5 42.6 6.0 559160 group 3 25 4.13 4.24 2.68 3.88 1.19 0.66 3.93 3.63 5.7 5.7 21.2 21.0333 384 group 4 25 5.03 2.31 3.48 1.89 1.14 0.42 8.54 0.33 12.7 0.8 45.02.2 597 127 group 5 25 4.28 2.54 2.82 2.18 0.98 0.37 8.23 1.41 12.3 2.344.7 7.2 422 184 group 6 25 5.21 2.93 1.81 2.06 3.01 2.18 8.56 4.55 10.43.9 47.5 25.8 460 422 Control-NI 25 15.33 3.93 3.23 0.88 10.70 2.5810.55 0.71 14.4 1.1 48.1 4.1 1057 239 group 1 30 6.25 3.38 3.25 1.342.20 1.80 7.98 2.79 11.6 4.4 41.0 14.3 458 213 group 2 30 6.55 2.03 3.220.73 2.17 0.75 9.88 2.36 12.1 1.2 50.5 11.6 588 208 group 3 30 3.11 1.232.13 1.12 0.86 0.15 7.98 1.04 11.6 1.9 43.1 3.4 502 234 group 4 30 6.261.99 3.68 1.36 2.00 1.27 9.39 1.76 11.0 3.1 46.3 7.9 571 278 group 5 304.38 1.51 3.15 1.37 0.81 0.27 7.25 2.89 10.4 3.7 37.8 16.0 554 294 group6 30 5.65 0.52 3.82 0.38 1.28 0.11 9.17 2.48 11.6 1.1 51.4 13.8 604 238Control-NI 30 17.42 4.05 3.69 0.92 11.55 2.66 10.89 0.32 15.1 0.4 52.03.0 1232 269

Example 2: Hematopoietic Screening Assay for Radiomitigating Activity ofSubcutaneously Administered PEG-GM-CSF Analog BBT-007

This example demonstrates that 300 μg/kg/day of PEG-GM-CSF analogBBT-007, administered every other day for a total of 9 doses beginning24 hr after exposure to lethal ionizing radiation, is efficacious forincreasing 30 day survival and overall survival time of C57BL/6 mice,and for accelerating recovery of multiple types of hematopoietic cells,including neutrophils, white blood cells, red blood cells, lymphocytes,and platelets, and for accelerating recovery of hemoglobin andhematocrit levels. The 100 μg/kg/day dosing regimen did not increase 30survival time when data from both radiation doses were pooled, but didaccelerate recovery of some hematopoietic cells. More mice receiving 100μg/kg/day PEG BBT-007 survived for 30 days than did mice receiving theControl Article in the lower radiation dose (90% survival with PEGBBT-007 versus 74% survival to the Control Article group), indicatingthat PEG BBT-007 confers a survival benefit at this radiation dose.Doses of 100 μg/kg and 300 μg/kg in a mouse approximately correspond todoses of 8 μg/kg and 24 μg/kg, respectively in a human, adjusting forbody weight differences between mice and humans.

General study information: Groups 1, 2, and 3 were exposed to radiationdoses of 776cGy delivered as 62.177cGy/min (12 min 29 sec exposure),estimated to be the LD50/30 without antibiotics. Groups 4, 5, and 6 wereexposed to radiation doses of 796cGy delivered as 62.177cGy/min (12 min48 sec exposure), estimated to be the LD70/30 without antibiotics. Theaverage weight (grams) of the male mice was 25.4±1.3; range=21.4-28.2.The average weight (grams) of the female mice was 18.3±1.0;range=17.5-21.5. There was no statistical evidence of a cage effect inthis study.

Two control mice (one in each radiation dose group) were inadvertentlyadministered an incorrect compound and were excluded from the analysis.

Thirty Day Survival (Table 3 and FIG. 5)

Pooled Data from Both Radiation Dose Groups Combined (776+796cGy):

Thirty day survival of mice treated with 300 μg/kg/day of peg-GM-CSFanalog BBT-007 every other day for 9 doses between days 1-17 wasincreased (90.0% survival) compared to vehicle-treated mice (73.7%survival, p=0.050). Thirty day survival of mice treated similarly with100 μg/kg/day peg-GM-CSF analog BBT-007 was higher than controls (80%vs. 73.7% survival, respectively), but the difference was notstatistically significant (p=343). Thirty day survival of female micewas significantly increased compared to males (p=0.002, data not shown).

776cGy Radiation Dose Groups Only (Table 3, FIG. 6)

Thirty day survival of mice exposed to 776cGy and treated with 9 dosesof either 100 μg/kg or 300 μg/kg of peg-GM-CSF analog BBT-007 was 90%,which was higher than thirty day survival of controls (73.7%).

796cGy Radiation Dose Groups Only (Table 3, FIG. 7)

Thirty day survival of mice exposed to 796cGy and treated with 9 dosesof 100 μg/kg of peg-GM-CSF analog BBT-007 was 70%, whereas 300 ug/kgresulted in 90% survival. Survival in control mice was 73.7%.

TABLE 3 Thirty Day Survival, Mean Survival Time (MST), and OverallSurvival Time 30 d Overall Rad No. of 30 day MST of Survival MSTSurvival Time Group Dose Survivors/ Survival Decedents (p value (p value(p value Description in cGy Total (%) (days) vs. Vehicle) vs. Vehicle)vs. Vehicle) PEG-GM-CSF 776 18/20 90 17.5 0.343 0.332 0.233 analogBBT-007 796 14/20 70 19.7 (100 μg/kg/day × 9 doses) PEG-GM-CSF 776 18/2090 17.5 0.050 1.000 0.037 analog BBT-007 796 18/20 90 16.5 (300μg/kg/day × 9 doses) Sodium 776 14/19 73.7 17.2 acetate/NaCl 796 14/1973.7 16.8 control (9 doses)Mean Survival Time (MST) of Decedent Mice; Pooled Data from BothRadiation Dose Groups Combined (776+796cGy, Table 3):

The MST of decedent mice treated with either dose of peg-GM-CSF analogBBT-007 was not significantly different compared to controls (100μg/kg/day MST=19.1 days, 300 ug/kg/day MST=17.0 days, and controlMST=17.0 days, p=0.332 and 1.000, respectively, Table 3).

Overall Survival Time; Pooled Data from Both Radiation Dose GroupsCombined (776+796cGy, Table 3):

Cox Regression analysis of overall survival time of mice treated with300 μg/kg/day PEG-GM-CSF analog BBT-007 was significantly increasedcompared to controls (p=0.037; Table 3). Overall survival time of micetreated with 100 μg/kg/day of PEG-GM-CSF was not different than controls(p=0.233; Table 3). The overall survival time of female mice wassignificantly longer compared to males (p=0.004, data not shown).

CBC Analyses: Days −1, 10, 20, 25, and 30 Days Post-Exposure (Table 4):

Peripheral blood obtained from the mice on days −1, 10, 20, 25, and 30was analyzed for Complete Blood Count (CBC) by HEMAVET. Blood fromage-matched non-irradiated mice was likewise analyzed. Many CBCparameters were significantly increased in mice treated with PEG-GM-CSFanalog BBT-007 compared to controls, as described below and shown inTable 4.

There were significant overall treatment group differences in the whiteblood cell (WBC) count (p<0.001), absolute neutrophil count (ANC)(p<0.001), and absolute lymphocyte count (LY) (p=0.016). Marginallysignificant differences were found in red blood cell count (RBC)(p=0.063), hemoglobin (p=0.072), hematocrit (p=0.086), and plateletcount (p=0.067). The mean WBC was significantly lower for the ControlArticle when compared to Test Article, 100 ug/kg and Test Article, 300μg/kg (p<0.001, p<0.001). The mean ANC was significantly lower for theControl Article when compared to Test Article, 100 μg/kg and TestArticle, 300 μg/kg (p<0.001, p<0.001). The mean LY was significantlylower for the Control Article when compared to Test Article, 100 μg/kgand Test Article, 300 μg/kg (p=0.015, p=0.008). The mean RBC wassignificantly lower for the Control Article when compared to TestArticle, 300 μg/kg (p=0.028). The mean hemoglobin level wassignificantly lower for the Control Article when compared to TestArticle, 300 μg/kg (p=0.022). The mean hematocrit was significantlylower for the Control Article when compared to Test Article, 300 μg/kg(p=0.045). The mean platelet count was significantly lower for theControl Article when compared to Test Article, 300 μg/kg (p=0.034).Bleed day was significant for every complete blood count variable(p<0.001 for each variable).

The Complete Blood Cell (CBC) parameters for this example are shown inTable 4. CBCs were performed at baseline (day −1) and on study days 10,20, 25, and 30 from randomly selected male and female mice exposed to776 or 796cGy ionizing radiation and treated with 100 or 300 μg/kg/dayPEG-GM-CSF analog BBT-007 every other day for a total of 9 doses. Dataare presented as mean±SD. Abbreviations used are WBC (white blood cells;thousands per microliter); NE (neutrophils; thousands per microliter);Ly (lymphocytes; thousands per microliter); RBC (red blood cells;millions per microliter); Hb (hemoglobin, g/dL); Hct (hematocrit;percent); Plt (platelet, thousand per microliter). Control-NI arenon-irradiated control mice.

CBC PARAMETERS TABLE 4 WBC NE Ly RBC Hb Hct Plt Group Day mean SD meanSD mean SD mean SD mean SD mean SD mean SD Control-NI −1 18.00 4.29 4.092.39 12.03 3.39 10.06 2.16 14.2 3.2 48.3 10.6 821 230 group 1 10 0.400.07 0.11 0.01 0.23 0.05 6.30 1.90 8.1 2.4 28.1 9.0 55 15 group 2 100.53 0.12 0.16 0.05 0.27 0.05 6.86 1.00 9.0 1.2 30.3 4.2 79 31 group 310 0.34 0.07 0.09 0.01 0.25 0.02 5.90 1.26 7.3 1.4 26.2 5.7 68 32 group4 10 0.32 0.04 0.10 0.03 0.19 0.03 6.02 1.40 7.7 2.0 26.0 6.3 52 20group 5 10 0.43 0.08 0.15 0.05 0.21 0.02 6.94 0.96 9.1 1.4 30.6 4.2 7632 group 6 10 0.24 0.02 0.03 0.00 0.17 0.00 5.31 0.61 6.8 0.8 23.2 2.553 7 Control-NI 10 15.42 3.98 3.33 1.07 10.66 2.64 10.07 0.90 14.0 1.747.3 3.8 880 88 group 1 20 7.35 5.99 1.36 0.43 5.21 5.83 5.56 2.24 8.63.3 32.5 12.5 308 105 group 2 20 13.37 11.37 5.07 3.62 6.26 8.21 6.503.08 8.5 2.4 36.6 14.7 349 119 group 3 20 1.75 2.15 0.36 0.27 1.23 1.722.04 0.91 2.6 1.2 9.1 4.6 96 85 group 4 20 3.37 2.28 2.10 3.23 1.60 0.943.12 2.94 4.7 4.6 17.1 16.9 156 162 group 5 20 6.75 4.40 1.64 0.81 4.273.84 4.64 1.78 7.3 3.3 27.0 12.4 265 130 group 6 20 2.17 0.50 0.62 0.131.42 0.50 3.02 0.82 4.3 1.2 15.5 5.2 174 36 Control-NI 20 18.03 5.064.13 1.27 12.06 3.59 10.48 1.12 14.9 1.1 49.7 5.6 901 198 group 1 256.26 1.18 3.79 0.57 1.88 0.63 7.01 0.91 10.6 0.8 39.0 3.8 597 305 group2 25 6.20 2.59 3.45 0.67 2.12 2.26 9.46 5.31 10.1 1.7 52.2 27.8 729 376group 3 25 3.38 1.32 1.69 1.03 1.31 0.26 6.44 2.88 9.6 4.2 35.8 15.7 427194 group 4 25 3.92 3.02 1.37 1.12 2.28 2.93 3.84 1.98 5.2 2.3 21.6 8.4381 143 group 5 25 5.02 2.90 2.56 1.36 2.06 1.58 5.42 1.78 7.5 2.0 30.410.8 476 229 group 6 25 3.06 1.89 1.26 0.80 1.49 1.71 6.03 2.94 8.7 4.534.6 15.7 535 297 Control-NI 25 13.12 3.01 2.35 1.09 9.88 1.63 9.14 2.9911.0 4.0 42.5 14.1 855 207 group 1 30 7.56 5.05 3.81 2.69 2.89 2.02 7.292.86 10.4 4.3 36.9 15.2 579 259 group 2 30 6.92 1.67 4.01 1.09 1.57 0.508.25 1.52 11.7 2.1 43.6 7.6 762 238 group 3 30 3.77 1.74 1.93 1.31 1.350.51 9.31 2.13 10.4 3.1 53.4 18.2 715 165 group 4 30 6.17 1.97 3.79 2.301.81 0.71 7.50 1.56 10.6 2.4 40.0 6.8 603 255 group 5 30 6.62 1.20 3.890.59 2.04 0.74 9.02 0.51 12.3 0.3 47.2 1.7 672 197 group 6 30 3.96 2.261.69 1.51 1.84 1.81 6.20 3.11 8.4 4.5 35.2 17.6 714 416 Control-NI 3019.51 6.91 3.69 1.30 13.82 4.66 10.76 0.81 13.7 2.9 50.4 3.7 906 242

Example 3: A Single Administration of PEG-G-CSF Analog BBT-015 Improves30 Day Survival of Lethally Irradiated Mice

This example demonstrates that a single administration of BBT-015administered 24 hours following a lethal dose of radiation is capable ofsignificantly improving 30 day survival of mice compared to vehiclesolution. The data also indicate that a single administration of BBT-015administered 24 hours following a lethal dose of radiation is capable ofsignificantly accelerating recovery of neutrophils, white blood cells,red blood cells, platelets, and hemoglobin and hematocrit levels inirradiated mice compared to vehicle solution. Differences between testgroups for these parameters were most pronounced on Days 20 and 25following radiation exposure.

The ability of a single administration of the PEG-G-CSF analog BBT-015to increase 30 day survival in mice after radiation exposure was testedusing two different BBT-015 doses (0.3 mg/kg and 1.0 mg/kg) and at twodifferent doses of radiation, 786 cGy and 810 cGy. The protocol for thisstudy was similar to the study protocols described in Examples 1 and 2and is outlined in Table 5. Groups of C57BL/6 mice (N=10 males and 10females per group) received one of six treatments in a randomizedvehicle-controlled study (Table 5). Endpoints for this study were 30 dayoverall survival, mean survival time and CBC analyses. The radiationdose was delivered as a single uniform total body dose of gammaradiation from a 137Cs radiation source at an exposure rate of 65-69cGy/minute+/−2.5 cGy. BBT-015 or vehicle solution (10 mM sodium acetate,pH 4.5, 140 mM NaCl) was subcutaneously administered once to 10-12 weekold mice 24+4/−0 hours after irradiation treatment. Mice were weighedduring the acclimation period and an average weight of all females andall males were calculated separately. All females were dosed based onthe average weight of the females, and all males dosed based on theaverage weight of the males. The volume of BBT-015 was adjusted todeliver a dose of approximately 6.0 μg (about 0.3 mg/kg) or 20.0 μg(about 1 mg/kg) to each mouse, slightly less than 1004, to the females,and slightly more than 100 μL to the males. These BBT-015 doses in mice(0.3 mg/kg and 1.0 mg/kg) correspond to equivalent human doses of about0.024 mg/kg and 0.081 mg/kg, respectively, due to faster clearance ofprotein therapeutics in mice compared to humans. An equivalent volume ofvehicle solution was administered to those mice in the control groups.Weights were not taken again during the study; mice were dosed based onthe weight taken during the acclimation period.

TABLE 5 A single administration of BBT-015 improves 30 day survival ofirradiated mice. Numbers Number Radiation and Sex of of survivors GroupTreatment Drug Dose Dose Animals on Day 30 (%) 1 BBT-015 0.3 mg/kg 786cGy 10F, 10M 19/20 (95%) 2 BBT-015 1.0 mg/kg 786 cGy 10F, 10M 20/20(100%) 3 Vehicle N/A 786 cGy 10F, 10M 16/20 (80%) (control) 4 BBT-0150.3 mg/kg 810 cGy 10F, 10M 19/20 (95%) 5 BBT-015 1.0 mg/kg 810 cGy 10F,10M 20/20 (100%) 6 Vehicle N/A 810 cGy 10F, 10M 10/20 (50%) (control)

CBC with differential and peripheral smears were performed at baseline(day −4) and on study days 10, 20, 25, and 30 as described in Examples 1and 2. CBCs with differentials and peripheral smears were also performedon four non-irradiated age-matched control mice/time point as hematologycontrols. Mice were monitored for survival once a day until signs ofearly euthanasia appear, then twice/day until day 30. Data are presentedin Table 6.

As shown in Tables 5 and 6, and FIGS. 8, 9 and 10, 30 day survival ofmice exposed to 786cGy and treated with 1 administration of 0.3 mg/kg or1 mg/kg of BBT-015 was 95% and 100%, respectively, as compared to 80%survival in mice treated with vehicle solution. Thirty day survival ofmice exposed to 810 cGy and treated with 1 administration of 0.3 mg/kgor 1 mg/kg of BBT-015 was 95% and 100%, respectively, as compared to 50%survival in mice treated with vehicle solution. CBC analysis indicatedthat BBT-015 administration was associated with accelerated recovery ofneutrophils, red blood cells and platelets compared to vehicle-treatedmice, i.e., BBT-015-treated mice had higher numbers of neutrophils, redblood cells and platelets on days 20-30 post-irradiation compared tovehicle-treated mice.

Thirty Day Survival (Table 6 and FIGS. 8, 9 and 10)

Pooled Data from Both Radiation Dose Groups Combined (786+810cGy):

Thirty day survival of mice exposed to 786 or 810 cGy irradiation andtreated with 1 dose of 0.3 mg/kg of PEG-G-CSF analog BBT-015 on day 1after irradiation was significant increased (95% survival) compared tovehicle-treated mice (65% survival, p=0.001). Thirty day survival ofmice exposed to 786 or 810 cGy and treated with 1 dose of 1.0 mg/kg ofPEG-G-CSF analog BBT-015 on day 1 after irradiation was significantincreased (100% survival) compared to vehicle-treated mice (65%survival, p<0.001).

TABLE 6 Thirty Day Survival, Mean Survival Time (MST), and OverallSurvival Time Rad No. of 30 day MST of p value vs. vehicle Group DoseSurvivors/ Survival Decedents 30 d Overall Description in cGy Total (%)(days) Survival MST Survival Time PEG-G-CSF 786 19/20 95 95 20 16.50.001 * ** analog BBT-015 810 19/20 95 13 (0.3 mg/kg on day 1) PEG-G-CSF786 20/20 100 100 N/A N/A <0.001 * ** analog BBT-015 810 20/20 100 N/A(1.0 mg/kg on d 1) Sodium 786 16/20 80 65 21.3 21.4 acetate/NaCl 81010/20 50 21.4 control (day 1) *Due to the sparseness of data in the 0.3mg/kg groups and 100% survival in the 1.0 mg/kg groups, a comparison ofmean survival times of decedents was not possible. **An accuratecomparison of the overall survival between treatment groups was notpossible due to 100% survival in the 1.0 mg/kg treatment group.Mean Survival Time (MST) of Decedent Mice; Pooled Data from BothRadiation Dose Groups Combined (786+810 cGy, Table 6):

MST of decedent mice exposed to 786 or 810 cGy irradiation and treatedwith 1 dose of 0.3 mg/kg PEG-G-CSF analog BBT-015 on day 1 afterirradiation was 16.5 days, whereas, for mice similarly irradiated andtreated with vehicle, was 21.4 days. MST of decedent mice exposed to 786or 810 cGy irradiation and treated with 1 dose of 1.0 mg/kg PEG-G-CSFanalog BBT-015 on day 1 after irradiation was not calculated due to nodecedent mice in that treatment group.

Overall Survival Time; Pooled Data from Both Radiation Dose GroupsCombined (786+810 cGy, Table 1)

An accurate comparison of the overall survival between treatment groupswas not possible due to 100% survival in the 1.0 mg/kg treatment group.

CBC Analyses: Days −3, 10, 20, 25, and 30 Days Post-Exposure (Table 7).

Peripheral blood was obtained from the mice on days −3, 10, 20, 25, and30, and was analyzed for Complete Blood Count (CBC) by HEMAVET. Bloodfrom age-matched non-irradiated mice was likewise analyzed. Many CBCparameters were significantly increased in mice treated with PEG-G-CSFanalog BBT-015 compared to controls, as described below and shown inTable 7.

There were significant overall treatment group differences in the whiteblood cell count (p=0.006), neutrophils (p<0.001), percent neutrophils(p<0.001, data not shown), percent lymphocytes (p<0.001, data notshown), red blood cell counts (p<0.001), hemoglobin (p<0.001),hematocrit (p<0.001), and platelet count (p<0.001). The mean lymphocytecount was not different between the control group and either 0.3 mg/kgor 1.0 mg/kg peg-G-CSF analog BBT-015 groups (p=0.808).

The mean white blood cell count was significantly higher for the TestArticle, 1.0 mg/kg compared to the Control article (p=0.002). The meanneutrophil count for the Control Article was significantly lowercompared to Test Article, 0.3 mg/kg and Test Article, 1.0 mg/kg(p=0.002, p<0.001, respectively). The mean red blood cell count for theControl Article was significantly lower compared to Test Article, 0.3mg/kg and Test Article, 1.0 mg/kg (p<0.001 for both). The meanhemoglobin for the Control Article was significantly lower compared toTest Article, 0.3 mg/kg and Test Article, 1.0 mg/kg (p<0.001 for both).The mean platelet count for the Control Article was significantly lowercompared to Test Article, 0.3 mg/kg and Test Article, 1.0 mg/kg(p<0.001). The mean hematocrit for the Control Article was lowercompared to Test Article, 0.3 mg/kg and Test Article, 1.0 mg/kg. Bleedday was significant for every complete blood count variable (p<0.01 forevery variable).

Similar studies can be performed using different doses, dosing regimensand routes of administration of BBT-015. Examples provided above teachhow to determine whether 1 to 9 administrations of the protein areeffective at improving survival and accelerating blood cell recovery(hemapoeitic recovery) following different radiation doses. Timing ofthe first administration of the protein also can be altered (e.g., firstdosing can begin at various times from 1-30 days following radiationexposure, or prior to 24 hours post-radiation exposure).

The Complete Blood Cell (CBC) parameters for this example are shown inTable 7. CBC were performed at baseline (day −3) and on study days 10,20, 25, and 30 from randomly selected male and female mice exposed to786 or 810cGy ionizing radiation and treated once with 0.3 or 1.0 mg/kgpeg-G-CSF analog BBT-015 on Day 1. Data are presented as mean±SD. Fournon-irradiated control mice were analyzed on each day as well.Abbreviations used are WBC (white blood cells; thousands permicroliter); NE (neutrophils; thousands per microliter); Ly(lymphocytes; thousands per microliter); RBC (red blood cells; millionsper microliter); Hb (hemoglobin, g/dL); Hct (hematocrit; percent); Plt(platelet, thousand per microliter). Control-NI are non-irradiatedcontrol mice.

CBC PARAMETERS TABLE 7 WBC NE Ly RBC Hb Hct Plt Group Day mean SD meanSD mean SD mean SD mean SD mean SD mean SD Control-NI −4 16.64 5.55 2.941.24 12.63 3.81 10.36 2.06 15.0 3.1 53.4 10.8 827 168 group 1 10 0.260.03 0.03 0.00 0.22 0.01 6.31 1.00 8.2 1.4 30.8 5.2 78 19 group 2 100.34 0.13 0.11 0.07 0.24 0.05 6.04 0.34 8.1 0.4 29.8 1.7 90 35 group 310 0.22 0.03 <0.22 <0.22 5.83 0.72 7.7 1.0 28.4 3.3 47 7 group 4 10 0.320.11 0.08 0.03 0.27 0.07 6.29 0.54 8.4 0.8 30.8 3.0 76 15 group 5 100.28 0.06 0.08 0.04 0.22 0.01 5.71 0.80 7.4 1.2 27.6 4.4 62 29 group 610 0.32 0.17 0.08 0.08 0.26 0.11 5.58 1.32 7.3 1.9 26.8 6.5 48 12Control-NI 10 13.31 5.43 2.37 1.03 10.44 4.28 12.41 3.37 13.3 3.5 64.217.6 947 149 group 1 20 2.83 2.08 1.64 1.70 1.01 0.52 7.39 1.32 11.6 1.444.2 6.1 550 258 group 2 20 4.10 0.48 2.72 0.35 1.12 0.23 8.91 0.35 13.50.4 50.4 1.7 627 104 group 3 20 4.79 7.29 0.67 1.01 3.81 5.81 2.74 0.913.8 1.4 13.4 5.1 122 68 group 4 20 3.79 1.32 1.75 0.36 1.85 1.66 7.901.34 11.8 1.1 45.5 5.9 519 143 group 5 20 3.15 1.37 1.36 0.49 1.54 0.857.70 1.28 12.1 1.5 44.8 5.4 574 19 group 6 20 3.96 6.53 1.31 1.92 3.354.55 2.00 0.98 2.4 0.9 9.9 6.2 73 54 Control-NI 20 20.27 5.59 4.10 1.1514.68 4.52 10.98 0.31 15.9 0.4 58.1 1.6 762 126 group 1 25 4.22 0.892.29 0.41 1.62 0.48 10.19 2.10 13.2 0.3 56.6 11.0 505 127 group 2 254.36 1.11 2.88 1.07 1.31 0.14 8.64 0.92 12.6 2.0 47.5 5.8 602 69 group 325 3.26 2.25 0.80 0.31 2.27 1.95 4.32 1.18 6.2 2.3 28.0 8.7 311 44 group4 25 3.91 1.42 2.02 0.92 1.54 0.52 8.17 2.29 11.6 3.8 44.5 13.1 439 119group 5 25 4.30 1.05 2.59 0.59 1.43 0.35 8.81 0.60 12.8 0.5 48.3 2.4 62349 group 6 25 1.22 0.56 0.14 0.06 1.02 0.50 2.36 0.56 3.4 1.0 13.9 5.2143 18 Control-NI 25 17.31 7.06 3.34 1.80 13.01 5.18 9.76 2.45 14.1 4.050.0 13.2 785 234 group 1 30 4.19 1.34 1.98 1.24 1.92 0.33 9.11 1.7213.0 2.9 49.9 10.4 600 161 group 2 30 6.42 1.65 2.46 0.78 3.31 0.71 8.501.38 12.2 2.2 46.7 8.0 570 105 group 3 30 5.54 5.40 2.78 3.13 1.97 1.327.89 0.93 11.7 2.7 47.5 10.0 598 82 group 4 30 3.91 1.91 1.97 1.30 1.650.49 8.69 2.35 11.9 4.5 48.3 13.3 507 178 group 5 30 5.00 2.36 2.63 1.422.04 0.85 9.63 0.86 14.2 0.8 54.4 3.3 674 151 group 6 30 2.61 1.40 0.930.63 1.43 0.71 5.73 3.40 9.1 5.4 36.6 20.5 383 326 Control-NI 30 17.752.21 3.25 0.80 13.22 2.02 10.40 1.73 14.3 2.5 54.6 10.4 704 238

Example 4. Three Every Other Day Administrations of PEG-GM-CSF AnalogBBT-007 Improves 30 Day Survival of Lethally Irradiated Mice

This example demonstrates that three every other day subcutaneousadministrations of BBT-007 administered beginning 24+4/−0 hoursfollowing a lethal dose of radiation is capable of significantlyimproving 30 day survival of mice compared to vehicle solution. The dataalso indicate that three every other day administrations of BBT-007administered beginning 24 hours following a lethal dose of radiation iscapable of significantly increasing numbers of neutrophils, red bloodcells, lymphocytes, white blood cells and platelets in irradiated micecompared to vehicle solution, indicating an acceleration ofhematopoietic recovery for these cell types.

The ability of three every other day administrations of PEG-GM-CSFanalog BBT-007 to increase 30 day survival in mice after radiationexposure was tested using two different BBT-007 doses (0.3 mg/kg and 1.0mg/kg) and at two different doses of radiation, 792 cGy, which wasexpected to be an LD50/30 dose based upon prior studies, and 806 cGy,which was expected to be an LD70/30 dose based upon prior studies.Groups of C57BL/6 mice (N=10 males and 10 females per group) receivedone of six treatments in a randomized vehicle-controlled study (Table8). Endpoints for this study was 30 day overall survival, mean survivaltime and CBC analyses. The radiation dose was delivered as a singleuniform total body dose of gamma radiation from a 137Cs radiation sourceat an exposure rate of 65-69 cGy/minute+/−2.5 cGy. BBT-007 or vehiclesolution (10 mM sodium acetate, pH 4.8, 140 mM NaCl) was subcutaneouslyadministered three times (on days 1, 3 and 5) to 10-12 week old micebeginning 24+4/−0 hours after irradiation treatment. Mice were weighedduring the acclimation period and an average weight of all females andall males were calculated separately. All females were dosed based onthe average weight of the females, and all males dosed based on theaverage weight of the males. The volume of BBT-007 was adjusted todeliver a dose of approximately 6.0 μg (about 0.3 mg/kg) or 20.0 μg(about 1 mg/kg) to each mouse, slightly less than 100 μL to the females,and slightly more than 100 μL to the males. These BBT-007 doses in mice(0.3 and 1.0 mg/kg) correspond to equivalent human doses of about 0.024and 0.081 mg/kg, respectively, due to faster clearance of proteintherapeutics in mice compared to humans. An equivalent volume of vehiclesolution was administered to those mice in the control groups. Weightswere not taken again during the study; mice were dosed based on theweight taken during the acclimation period.

As shown in Table 8 and FIGS. 11, 12 and 13, thirty day survival of miceexposed to 792 cGy and treated with three every other dayadministrations of 0.3 mg/kg or 1 mg/kg of BBT-007 was 100% and 100%,respectively, as compared to 65% survival in mice treated with vehiclesolution. Thirty day survival of mice exposed to 806 cGy and treatedwith three every other day administration of 0.3 mg/kg or 1 mg/kg ofBBT-007 was 80% and 95%, respectively, as compared to 65% survival inmice treated with vehicle solution. Whether or not a mouse was going tolive at least 30 days was analyzed from pooled data from the tworadiation doses with an exact logistic model using treatment group,radiation dose, and gender as predictors. After controlling for genderand radiation dose BBT-007 at a dose of 1 mg/kg was a protective factorcompared to the Vehicle (p<0.001, odds ratio=0.05) and BBT-007 at a doseof 0.3 mg/kg was a protective factor compared to Vehicle (p=0.006, oddsratio=0.20).

TABLE 8 Three every other day administrations of PEG-GM-CSF analogBBT-007 improve 30 day survival of irradiated mice. Numbers NumberRadiation and Sex of of survivors Group Treatment Drug Dose Dose Animalson Day 30 (%) 1 BBT-007 0.3 mg/kg 792 cGy 10F, 10M 20/20 (100%) 2BBT-007 1.0 mg/kg 792 cGy 10F, 10M 20/20 (100%) 3 Vehicle N/A 792 cGy10F, 10M 13/20 (65%) control 4 BBT-007 0.3 mg/kg 806 cGy 10F, 10M 16/20(80%) 5 BBT-007 1.0 mg/kg 806 cGy 10F, 10M 19/20 (95%) 6 Vehicle N/A 806cGy 10F, 10M 13/20 (65%) control

CBCs with differential and peripheral smears were performed as describedin the other Examples. CBC data are presented in Table 9. There was asignificant bleed day by treatment group interaction for white bloodcell counts (p=0.002), neutrophils (p=0.050), lymphocytes (p=0.078), redblood cell counts (p=0.005), hemoglobin (p=0.004), hematocrit (p=0.004),platelet count (p=0.098), and mean corpuscular volume (p=0.079). Withinbleed day 20, the vehicle group had a significantly lower mean whiteblood cell count when compared to BBT-007, 0.3 mg/kg and BBT-007, 1mg/kg (both p<0.001). Within bleed day 20, the vehicle group had asignificantly lower mean neutrophil count when compared to BBT-007, 0.3mg/kg and BBT-007, 1 mg/kg (both p<0.001). Within bleed day 25, thevehicle group had a significantly lower mean neutrophil count whencompared to BBT-007, 0.3 mg/kg (p=0.050) and a marginally lower meanneutrophil count when compared to muBBT-007, 1 mg/kg (p=0.073). Withinbleed day 20, the vehicle group had a significantly lower meanlymphocyte count when compared to BBT-007, 0.3 mg/kg (p<0.001) andBBT-007, 1 mg/kg (p=0.002). Within bleed days 20 and 25, the vehiclegroup had a significantly lower mean red blood cell count when comparedto BBT-007, 0.3 mg/kg and BBT-007, 1 mg/kg (all p<0.001). Within bleeddays 20 and 25, the vehicle group had a significantly lower meanhemoglobin count when compared to BBT-007, 0.3 mg/kg and BBT-007, 1mg/kg (all p<0.001). Within bleed days 20 and 25, the vehicle group hada significantly lower mean hematocrit count when compared to BBT-007,0.3 mg/kg and BBT-007, 1 mg/kg (all p<0.001). Within bleed day 20, thevehicle group had a significantly lower mean platelet count whencompared to BBT-007, 0.3 mg/kg and BBT-007, 1 mg/kg (both p<0.001).Within bleed day 25, the vehicle group had a significantly lower meanplatelet count when compared to BBT-007, 0.3 mg/kg (p=0.009) andBBT-007, 1 mg/kg (p=0.003).

In summary, there were no significant differences at days 10 or 30 forany of the variables between the BBT-007 and vehicle groups. There weresignificant differences between the vehicle group and both BBT-007treatment groups and for all variables at day 20. At day 25, bothBBT-007 treatment groups had significantly higher red blood cell counts,hemoglobin, hemocrit, and platelets than the vehicle group. There wereborderline differences in neutrophil numbers between the two BBT-007treatment groups and the vehicle group at day 25.

Similar studies can be performed using different doses, dosing regimensand routes of administration of BBT-007. Examples provided above teachhow to determine whether 1 to 9 administrations of the protein areeffective at improving survival and accelerating blood cell recovery(hemapoeitic recovery) following different radiation doses. Timing ofthe first administration of the protein also can be altered (e.g., firstdosing can begin at various times from 1-30 days following radiationexposure, or prior to 24 hours post-radiation exposure).

The Complete Blood Cell (CBC) parameters for this example are shown inTable 9. CBC were performed at baseline (day −3) and on study days 10,20, 25, and 30 from randomly selected male and female mice exposed to792 or 806cGy ionizing radiation and treated with 0.3 or 1.0 mg/kgpeg-GM-CSF analog BBT-007 on Days 1, 3 and 5. Data are presented asmean±SD. Four non-irradiated control mice were analyzed on each day aswell. Abbreviations used are WBC (white blood cells; thousands permicroliter); NE (neutrophils; thousands per microliter); Ly(lymphocytes; thousands per microliter); RBC (red blood cells; millionsper microliter); Hb (hemoglobin, g/dL); Hct (hematocrit; percent); Plt(platelet, thousand per microliter). Control-NI are non-irradiatedcontrol mice.

CBC PARAMETERS TABLE 9 WBC NE Ly RBC Hb Hct Plt Group Day mean SD meanSD mean SD mean SD mean SD mean SD mean SD Control-NI −3 13.37 3.48 2.140.61 10.42 3.03 10.98 0.68 15.52 0.84 58.33 3.78 934 218 group 1 10 0.260.03 0.07 0.02 0.18 0.03 7.21 0.33 9.60 0.44 33.70 1.49 113 34 group 210 0.34 0.07 0.08 0.02 0.22 0.07 6.65 0.48 8.83 1.01 31.03 2.31 110 29group 3 10 0.26 0.03 0.04 0.00 0.23 0.00 5.88 0.65 7.75 0.49 27.18 2.6874 28 group 4 10 0.29 0.05 0.06 0.01 0.25 0.04 6.20 0.89 8.25 1.29 28.754.47 93 36 group 5 10 0.29 0.04 0.07 0.01 0.20 0.02 6.97 0.40 9.28 0.4532.13 2.09 103 11 group 6 10 0.23 0.03 <0.23 <0.23 5.59 0.84 7.30 1.1025.88 3.62 73 28 Control-NI 10 13.84 2.53 4.63 4.85 8.14 3.22 11.08 0.4715.75 0.64 54.80 2.15 1034 132 group 1 20 5.02 3.75 0.98 1.15 3.79 3.745.34 2.44 8.25 4.21 29.45 14.42 362 242 group 2 20 9.51 6.14 0.87 0.428.24 5.56 4.81 0.13 7.88 0.75 28.00 1.81 396 59 group 3 20 1.85 2.320.30 0.25 1.45 1.98 2.50 1.30 3.53 2.28 12.03 8.45 133 109 group 4 207.41 6.13 0.92 0.61 6.06 5.23 4.80 2.84 7.68 4.77 27.70 17.49 395 231group 5 20 2.59 2.16 0.73 0.52 1.64 1.53 4.91 3.72 9.53 6.74 28.23 23.49350 292 group 6 20 0.49 0.20 0.11 0.06 0.42 0.11 1.64 0.59 1.98 0.816.93 2.54 67 20 Control-NI 20 17.52 7.63 2.94 1.56 13.54 5.64 9.15 3.3313.18 5.12 45.35 17.06 811 392 group 1 25 11.02 8.66 2.33 0.42 7.91 8.287.48 1.46 12.08 1.48 44.95 4.58 725 161 group 2 25 3.96 1.22 2.01 0.861.57 0.47 8.02 0.80 12.40 0.76 46.18 2.81 888 295 group 3 25 8.00 7.591.89 1.18 5.38 5.82 4.66 2.62 7.28 4.61 27.95 16.59 504 175 group 4 256.25 5.08 1.78 0.59 4.04 5.14 8.04 1.93 12.08 2.46 44.00 7.81 615 154group 5 25 4.33 0.20 1.95 0.63 1.95 0.42 8.54 0.88 12.75 1.54 44.95 5.31608 36 group 6 25 4.66 3.25 0.68 0.39 3.67 2.76 4.15 2.51 6.75 4.5226.38 17.69 406 218 Control-NI 25 21.48 3.54 4.36 0.97 15.42 2.71 10.930.72 15.55 1.10 52.85 2.92 952 191 group 1 30 8.32 4.43 4.41 2.00 3.241.98 8.78 0.97 13.65 1.11 46.93 4.59 822 146 group 2 30 6.74 1.27 4.140.82 2.61 0.15 8.53 0.63 13.05 0.93 47.38 2.66 732 231 group 3 30 5.441.12 2.79 1.05 2.19 0.42 8.21 0.85 12.88 1.35 47.13 3.10 810 264 group 430 11.31 9.31 2.64 1.38 8.03 9.77 8.13 2.05 12.40 2.74 45.67 6.75 753 97group 5 30 6.63 2.64 2.75 2.61 3.40 1.79 7.83 1.98 11.20 0.14 46.83 4.65961 82 group 6 30 10.18 9.10 7.54 8.45 1.88 0.40 8.82 0.82 13.55 0.3849.05 2.22 776 177 Control-NI 30 18.82 5.48 3.45 1.11 14.38 4.26 10.400.55 15.20 0.96 50.93 3.30 1024 188

Example 5. Experiment to Determine Whether Three Every Other DayAdministrations of PEG-IL-11 Analog BBT-059 Improves 30 Day Survival ofLethally Irradiated Mice

The ability of PEG-IL-11 analog BBT-059 to increase 30 day survival inmice after radiation exposure can be tested using experimental protocolsdescribed above in the other Examples. For example, the ability of threeevery other day subcutaneous administrations of PEG-IL-11 analog BBT-059to increase survival and hematopoietic recovery in irradiated mice canbe tested using two different BBT-059 doses (0.3 mg/kg and 1.0 mg/kg)and at two different doses of radiation, 792 cGy, which is expected tobe an LD50/30 dose based upon prior studies, and 806 cGy, which isexpected to be an LD70/30 dose based upon prior studies. Groups ofC57BL/6 mice (N=10 males and 10 females per group) can receive one ofsix treatments in a randomized vehicle-controlled study (Table 10).Endpoints of this study can be 30 day overall survival, mean survivaltime and CBC analyses. The radiation doses can be delivered as a singleuniform total body dose of gamma radiation from a 137Cs radiation sourceat an exposure rate of 65-69 cGy/minute+/−2.5 cGy. BBT-059 or vehiclesolution (20 mM Tris, pH 7.5, 200 mM NaCl, 10% glycerol, 0.05% Tween-20)can be subcutaneously administered three times (on days 1, 3 and 5) to10-12 week old mice beginning 24+4/−0 hours after irradiation treatment.Mice can be weighed during the acclimation period and an average weightof all females and all males can be calculated separately. All femalescan be dosed based on the average weight of the females, and all malescan be dosed based on the average weight of the males. The volume ofBBT-059 can be adjusted to deliver a dose of approximately 6.0 μg (about0.3 mg/kg) or 20.0 μg (about 1 mg/kg) to each mouse, slightly less than100 μL to the females, and slightly more than 100 μL to the males. TheseBBT-059 doses in mice (0.3 mg/kg and 1.0 mg/kg) correspond to equivalenthuman doses of about 0.024 mg/kg and 0.081 mg/kg, respectively, due tofaster clearance of protein therapeutics in mice compared to humans. Anequivalent volume of vehicle solution can be administered to those micein the control groups. Mice can be dosed based on the weight takenduring the acclimation period. Survival and CBC data can be complied asdescribed in the other examples. It is expected that both doses ofBBT-059 will improve 30 day survival of mice exposed to these radiationdoses compared to vehicle. It is also expected that BBT-059 will causeaccelerated recovery of blood cell types such as platelets, neutrophils,white blood cells, red blood cells, and lymphocytes compared to vehiclesolution, as evidenced by higher circulating levels of these cells ondays 20 and possibly on days 25 and 30 in the BBT-059-treated micecompared to vehicle-treated mice. It is also possible that higher nadirsfor these cell types on day 10 post-irradiation will be detected.

Similar studies can be performed using different doses, dosing regimensand routes of administration of BBT-059. The Examples provided aboveteach how to determine whether 1 to 9 administrations of the protein areeffective at improving survival and accelerating hematopoietic bloodcell recovery following different radiation doses. Timing of the firstadministration of the protein also can be altered (e.g., first dosingcould begin at various times from 1-15 days following radiationexposure, or prior to 24 h post-radiation exposure) to identify theoptimum time of administration.

TABLE 10 Outline of treatment groups for determining whether three everyother day administrations of BBT-059 improve 30 day survival ofirradiated mice. Numbers and Sex Group Treatment Drug Dose RadiationDose of Animals 1 BBT-059 0.3 mg/kg 792 cGy (LD50/30) 10F, 10M 2 BBT-0591.0 mg/kg 792 cGy (LD50/30) 10F, 10M 3 Vehicle N/A 792 cGy (LD50/30)10F, 10M 4 BBT-059 0.3 mg/kg 806 cGy (LD70/30) 10F, 10M 5 BBT-059 1.0mg/kg 806 cGy (LD70/30) 10F, 10M 6 Vehicle N/A 806 cGy (LD70/30) 10F,10M

Example 6. Determining how Long after Irradiation BBT-015, BBT-007 andBBT-059 can be Administered and Still Improve 30 Day Survival inIrradiated Mice

How long after irradiation BBT-015, BBT-007 and BBT-059 (the “TestArticles”) can be administered and still improve survival of lethallyirradiated mice can be determined using the following protocol. Mice canbe exposed to an LD50/30 radiation dose and randomized into test groups.One group of control mice can receive from 1 to 9 subcutaneousinjections of vehicle solution beginning 24+4/−0 h post irradiation. Asecond control group can receive 1 (or 3) subcutaneous injections of 1mg/kg of the Test Articles beginning 24+4/−0 h post-irradiation.Additional test groups of mice can receive from 1 to 9 subcutaneousinjections of 1 mg/kg of the Test Articles beginning at 48 h (day 2), 72h (day 3), 96 h (day 4), 120 h (day 5), 144 h (day 6), 168 h (day 7), upthrough day 30, etc. post-irradiation. Survival of mice can be followedfor 30 days. CBC analyses can be performed at different timespost-irradiation, as described in the other Examples to determinewhether the Test Articles accelerate recovery of white blood cells,neutrophils, red blood cells, lymphocytes, platelets, hemoglobin levelsand hematocrits compared to vehicle-treated mice.

Similar studies can be performed using different doses and differentdosing regimens as well as different routes of administration of theTest Articles.

Example 7. Determining Whether BBT-015, BBT-007 and BBT-059Administration Improves Survival of Other Animal Species Such as Dogsand Monkeys

Experiments similar to those described here can be used to determinewhether BBT-015, BBT-007 and BBT-059 administration improves survivaland accelerates hematopoietic recovery in other animal species such asdogs and monkeys following lethal irradiation. Radiation doses can bedetermined that correspond to LD50 to LD70 doses. Survival can befollowed for 30-60 days following irradiation. Circulating half-lives ofBBT-015 and BBT-007 are expected to be longer in dogs and monkeyscompared to mice, so the dosing frequency and/or dose of the proteinscan be adjusted to reflect the differences in clearance rates of theproteins between species, for example dosing once per week instead ofevery other day. The optimum dose and dosing regimen can be determinedfor each protein.

Example 8. Determining Whether Administration of BBT-015, BBT-007 andBBT-059 Prior to Radiation Exposure Will Improve 30 Day Survival of aSubject

Whether administration of BBT-015, BBT-007 and BBT-015 (the “TestArticles”) prior to irradiation will improve survival of lethallyirradiated mice can be determined using the using the followingprotocol. Different groups of mice can be treated with one or more ofthe Test Articles or Control Article (vehicle) from about 7 days priorto radiation exposure to immediately prior to radiation exposure.Preferably the Test Article will be administered less than 48 hoursprior to irradiation and most preferably less than 24 hours prior toirradiation. Survival of mice can be followed for 30 days. CBC analysiscan be performed at different times post-irradiation, as described inthe previous examples to determine whether the Test Articles acceleraterecovery of white blood cells, neutrophils, red blood cells,lymphocytes, platelets, hemoglobin levels and hematocrits compared tovehicle-treated mice. Similar studies can be performed using differentdoses, dosing regimens, and routes of administration of the TestArticles.

All documents cited herein are incorporated herein by reference.

While various embodiments of the present invention have been describedin detail, it is apparent that modifications and adaptations of thoseembodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. It is to beexpressly understood, however, that such modifications and adaptationsare within the scope of the present invention, as set forth in thefollowing claims.

REFERENCES

-   Abdel-Meguid, S. S., Shieh, h.-S., Smith W. W., Dayringer, H. E.,    Violand, B. N. and Bentle, L. A. (1987) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA    84: 6434-6437.-   Arakawa, T. Prestrelski, S. J., Narhi, L., Boone, T. and    Kenney, W. (1993) Cysteine 17 of recombinant human granulocyte    colony-stimulating factor is partially solvent-exposed. J. Protein    Chem. 12, 525-531.-   Bazan, F. (1990) Haemopoietic receptors and helical cytokines.    Immunology Today 11, 350-354.-   Blumberg, H., Conklin, D., Xu, W., Grossmann A. et al. (2001) Cell    104: 9-19.-   Boerma M., Wang J. Burnett A. F. et al. (2007) Local administration    of interleukin-11 ameliorates intestinal radiation injury in rats.    67: 9501-9506.-   Bowen, S., Tare, N., Inoue, T., Yamasaki, M., Okabe, M., Horii, I.    And Eliason, J. (1999) Relationship between molecular mass and    duration of activity of polyethylene glycol conjugated granulocyte    colony-stimulating factor mutein. Exp. Hematol. 27, 425-432.-   Cantrell, M. A., Anderson, D., Cerretti, D. P., Price, V.,    McKereghan, K., Tushinski, R. J., Mochizuki, D. Y., Larsen, A.,    Grabstein, K., Gillis, S. and Cosman, D. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA    82: 6250-6254 (1985).-   Carlo-Stella C, Di Nicola M, Milani R et al (2004) Use of    recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) plus recombinant human    granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) for the mobilization    and collection of CD34+ cells in poor mobilizers. Blood 103:    3287-3295.-   Cox, G. N., Smith, D. J., Carlson, S. J., Bendele, A. M.,    Chlipala, E. A. and Doherty, D. H. (2004) Enhanced circulating    half-life and hematopoietic properties of a human granulocyte    colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)-immunoglobulin fusion protein.    Exp. Hematol. 32, 441-449. de Vos, A. M., Ultsch, M. and    Kossiakoff, A. A. (1992) Science 255: 306-312.-   Ersoy B, Ozbililgin K, Kasirga E et al. (2009) Effect of Growth    Hormone o small intestinal homeostasis relation to cellular    mediators IGF-I and IGFBP-3. World J Gastroenterol 15: 5418-5424.-   Glaspy G A (2003) Hematopoietic management in oncology practice.    Part 1. Myeloid growth factors. Oncology (Williston Park) 17:    1593-1603.-   Goeddel, D. V., Heyneker, H. L., Hozumi, T. et al., (1979) Nature    281: 544-548.-   Goldman S J. (1995) Preclinical biology of interleukin-11: a    multifunctional hematopoietic cytokine with potent thrombopoietic    activity. Stem Cells 13: 462-71. of recombinant interleukin-2 at its    glycosylation site. Biotechnology 8, 343-346.-   Goodson, R. J. and Katre, N. V. (1990) Biotechnology 8: 343-346.-   Howarth G S (2003) Insulin-like growth factor-I and the    gastrointestinal system: therapeutic indications and safety    implications. J. Nutr. 133: 2109-2112.-   Howarth G S, Fraser R, Frisby C L et al. (1997) Effects of    insulin-like growth factor-I administration on radiation enteritis    in rats. Scand J Gastroenterol 32: 1118-1124.-   Kawashima, I., Ohsumi, J., Mita-Honjo, K., Shimoda-Takano, Ishikawa,    H., Sakakibara, S., Miyadai, K. and Takiguchi, Y. (1991) FEBS Letts.    283: 199-202.-   Lee, F., Yokota, T., Otsuka, T., Gemmell, L., Larson, N., Luh, J.,    Arai, K.-I. and Rennick, D. (1985) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 82:    4360-4364.-   Lu, H. S., Boone, T. C., Souza, L. M. and Lai, P. H. (1989)    Disulfide and secondary structures of recombinant human granulocyte    colony-stimulating factor. Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 268, 81-92.-   Martial, J. A., Hallewell, R. A., Baxter, J. D. and    Goodman, H. M. (1979) Science 205: 602-606.-   Mott, H. R. and Campbell, I. D. (1995) Current Opinion in Structural    Biology 5: 114-121.-   Mylonas P G, Matsouka P T, Papandoniou E V et al (2000) Growth    Hormone and insulin-like growth factor I protect intestinal cells    from radiation induced apoptosis. Mol Cell Endocrinol 160: 115-122.-   Nagata, S., Tsuchiya, M., Asano, S., Kziro, Y., Yamazaki, T.,    Yamamoto, O., Hirata, Y., Kubota, N., Oh-eda, M., Nomura, H. and    Ono, M. (1986a) Nature 319: 415-418.-   Nagata, S., Tsuchiya, M., Asano, S., Yamamoto, O., Hirata, Y.,    Kubota, N., Oh-eda, M., Nomura, H. and Yamazaki, T. (1986b) EMBO J.    5: 575-581.-   Paul, S. R., Bennett, F., Calvetti, J. A., Kelleher, K., Wood, C.    R., O'Hara, R. M., Leary, A. C., Sibley, B., Clark, S. C.,    William, D. A. and Yang, Y.-C. (1990) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 87:    7512-7516.-   Raguso C A, Leverve X and Pichard C (2002) Protective effects of    recombinant growth hormone on intestinal mucosa in rats receiving    abdominal radiotherapy. Clin Nutr 21: 487-490.-   Silvennoinen, O. and Ihle, J. N. (1996) Signalling by the    Hematopoietic Cytokine Receptors, R. G. Landes, Company, Austin,    Tex.-   Sirohi B, Powles R, Morgan G et al. (2007) Use of physiological    doses of human growth hormone in haematological patients receiving    intensive chemotherapy promotes haematopoietic recovery: a double    blind randomized, placebo-controlled study. Bone Marrow Transplant.    39: 115-120.-   Sitaraman S V and Gewirtz A T (2001) Oprelvekin. Genetics Institute.    Curr. Opin. Investig. Drugs 2: 1395-400.-   Souza, L. M., Boone, T. C., Gabrilove, J., Lai, P. H., Zsebo, K. M.,    Murdock, D. C., Chazin, V. R., Bruszewski, J., Lu, H., Chen, K. K.,    Barendt, J., Platzer, E., Moore, M. A. S., Mertelsmann, R. and    Welte, K. (1986) Science 232: 61-65.-   Van der Meeren A., Mouthon M. A., Gaugler M. H., Vandamme M.    Gourmelon P. (2002) Administration of recombinant human    interleukin-11 after supralethal radiation exposure promotes    survival in mice: interactive effect with thrombopoietin. Radiat.    Res. 157: 642-649.-   Wen, D., Boissel, J. P., Showers, M., Ruch, B. C. and    Bunn, H. F. (1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269: 22839-22846.-   Yang Y-C. Interleukin-11 (IL-11) and its receptor: Biology and    potential clinical applications in thrombocytopenic states. In:    Kurzrock R, Talpaz M, editors. Cytokines: interleukins and their    receptors, Norwell, Mass.: Academic Publishers; 1995, Chapter 13, p.    321-340.-   Zhang Y., Chen J, Liang, D., Yuan Y and Wu X (2008) Effects of human    growth hormone on hematopoietic recovery of rats receiving    chemotherapy. Chemotherapy 54: 447-455.

1.-27. (canceled)
 28. A method for improving survival from radiationexposure in a subject who has been exposed to radiation and has beendiagnosed as having Acute Radiation Syndrome (ARS) by administering tothe subject an effective dose of a long-acting humangranulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) protein analogcomprising a cysteine residue substituted for alanine-3 of SEQ ID NO: 2,and wherein the long-acting human GM-CSF protein analog is modified witha single polyethylene glycol (PEG).
 29. The method of claim 28, whereinthe improved survival correlates with accelerated recovery of thesubject's blood cell types selected from the group consisting ofneutrophil levels, white blood cell levels, platelet levels, red bloodcell levels, lymphocyte levels, and combinations thereof.
 30. The methodof claim 29, wherein the improved survival correlates with acceleratedrecovery of the subject's neutrophil levels.
 31. The method of claim 29,wherein the improved survival correlates with accelerated recovery ofthe subject's platelet levels.
 32. The method of claim 29, wherein theimproved survival correlates with accelerated recovery of the subject'sred blood cell levels.
 33. The method of claim 29, wherein the improvedsurvival correlates with accelerated recovery of the subject'sneutrophil levels and platelet levels.
 34. The method of claim 29,wherein the improved survival correlates with accelerated recovery ofthe subject's platelet levels, red blood levels and neutrophil levels.35. The method of claim 28, wherein the long-acting GM-CSF proteinanalog is fused to a second protein selected from the group consistingof immunoglobulin domains, albumin, transferrin, transferrin receptors,elastin and elastin-like proteins.
 36. The method of claim 28, whereinthe long-acting GM-CSF protein analog is a recombinant human GM-CSFprotein analog.
 37. The method of claim 36, wherein the recombinanthuman GM-CSF protein analog is modified with a 40 kDa polyethyleneglycol (PEG).
 38. The method of claim 28, wherein the effective dose isa single dose of the long-acting GM-CSF protein analog of at least about0.1 μg to about 5 mg per kg of the subject to which the dose isadministered to.
 39. The method of claim 28, wherein the subject isadministered one or more doses of the long-acting GM-CSF protein analog.40. The method of claim 39, wherein the subject is administered a singleeffective dose of the long-acting GM-CSF protein analog one to ninetimes following the subject's exposure to radiation.
 41. The method ofclaim 39, wherein the subject is administered one single effective doseof the long acting GM-CSF protein analog.
 42. The method of claim 39,wherein the subject is administered one or more doses of the long-actingGM-CSF protein analog at least about 24 hours following the subject'sexposure to the radiation.
 43. The method of claim 39, wherein thesubject is administered one or more doses of the long-acting GM-CSFprotein analog using an every other day dosing regimen.
 44. The methodof claim 39, wherein the subject is administered one or more doses ofthe long-acting GM-CSF factor beginning at least 24 hours following thesubject's exposure to the radiation followed by an every other daydosing regimen.
 45. The method of claim 39, wherein the subject isadministered one or more doses of the long-acting GM-CSF protein analogbeginning within about 24 hours following the subject's exposure to theradiation.
 46. The method of claim 28, further comprising administeringto the subject an effective dose of one or more long-acting proteinanalogs selected from the group consisting of a long-acting G-CSFanalog, a long-acting interleukin-11 (IL-11) analog and combinationsthereof.
 47. The method of claim 39, wherein the subject is administereda single effective dose of the long-acting GM-CSF protein analog one tothree times following the subject's exposure to radiation.